Methods and compositions involving mirna and mirna inhibitor molecules

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns methods and compositions for introducing miRNA activity or function into cells using synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying miRNAs with specific cellular functions that are relevant to therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications wherein synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are used in library screening assays.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/683,736, filed on May 23, 2005, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/649,634, filed on Feb. 3, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/627,171, filed on Nov. 12, 2004 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

The Sequence Listing is submitted on one compact disc (Copy 1), together with a duplicate thereof (Copy 2), each created on November 14, 2005, and each containing one 173 kb file entitled “AMBI105US.txt.” The material contained on the compact disc is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology. More particularly, it concerns methods and compositions involving nucleic acid molecules that simulate microRNA (miRNAs) and that inhibit miRNAs. Methods and compositions involving synthetic miRNAs and miRNA inhibitor molecules are described. In addition, methods and compositions for identifying miRNAs that contribute to cellular processes are also described. In addition, the identification of miRNAs that contribute to cellular processes provides targets for therapeutic intervention as well as diagnostic and/or prognostic analysis.

2. Description of the Related Art

In 2001, several groups used a novel cloning method to isolate and identify a large group of “microRNAs” (miRNAs) from C. elegans, Drosophila, and humans (Lagos-Quintana et al., 2001; Lau et al., 2001; Lee and Ambros, 2001). Several hundreds of miRNAs have been identified in plants and animals—including humans—which do not appear to have endogenous siRNAs. Thus, while similar to siRNAs, miRNAs are nonetheless distinct. miRNAs thus far observed have been approximately 21-22 nucleotides in length and they arise from longer precursors, which are transcribed from non-protein-encoding genes. See review of Carrington et al. (2003). The precursors form structures that fold back on each other in self-complementary regions; they are then processed by the nuclease Dicer in animals or DCL1 in plants. miRNA molecules interrupt translation through precise or imprecise base-pairing with their targets.

miRNAs seem to be involved in gene regulation. Some miRNAs, including lin-4 and let-7, inhibit protein synthesis by binding to partially complementary 3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) of target mRNAs. Others, including the Scarecrow miRNA found in plants, function like siRNA and bind to perfectly complementary mRNA sequences to destroy the target transcript (Grishok et al., 2001).

Research on microRNAs is increasing as scientists are beginning to appreciate the broad role that these molecules play in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. The two best understood miRNAs, lin-4 and let-7, regulate developmental timing in C. elegans by regulating the translation of a family of key mRNAs (reviewed in Pasquinelli, 2002). Several hundred miRNAs have been identified in C. elegans, Drosophila, mouse, and humans. As would be expected for molecules that regulate gene expression, miRNA levels have been shown to vary between tissues and developmental states. In addition, one study shows a strong correlation between reduced expression of two miRNAs and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, providing a possible link between miRNAs and cancer (Calin, 2002). Although the field is still young, there is speculation that miRNAs could be as important as transcription factors in regulating gene expression in higher eukaryotes.

There are a few examples of miRNAs that play critical roles in cell differentiation, early development, and cellular processes like apoptosis and fat metabolism. lin-4 and let-7 both regulate passage from one larval state to another during C. elegans development (Ambros, 2003). mir-14 and bantam are drosophila miRNAs that regulate cell death, apparently by regulating the expression of genes involved in apoptosis (Brennecke et al., 2003, Xu et al., 2003). MiR14 has also been implicated in fat metabolism (Xu et al., 2003). Lsy-6 and miR-273 are C. elegans miRNAs that regulate asymmetry in chemosensory neurons (Chang et al., 2004). Another animal miRNA that regulates cell differentiation is miR-181, which guides hematopoietic cell differentiation (Chen et al., 2004). These molecules represent the full range of animal miRNAs with known functions. Enhanced understanding of the functions of miRNAs will undoubtedly reveal regulatory networks that contribute to normal development, differentiation, inter- and intra-cellular communication, cell cycle, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and many other cellular processes. Given their important roles in many biological functions, it is likely that miRNAs will offer important points for therapeutic intervention or diagnostic analysis.

Characterizing the functions of biomolecules like miRNAs often involves introducing the molecules into cells or removing the molecules from cells and measuring the result. If introducing a miRNA into cells results in apoptosis, then the miRNA undoubtedly participates in an apoptotic pathway. Methods for introducing and removing miRNAs from cells have been described. Two recent publications describe antisense molecules that can be used to inhibit the activity of specific miRNAs (Meister et al., 2004; Hutvagner et al., 2004). Another publication describes the use of plasmids that are transcribed by endogenous RNA polymerases and yield specific miRNAs when transfected into cells (Zeng et al., 2002). These two reagent sets have been used to evaluate single miRNAs.

A limitation of the plasmid-based miRNA expression system is that the transfection efficiencies for plasmids tend to be very low, with only approximately 50% of cells expressing RNA from the plasmid in cells that are easy to transfect. Transfection efficiencies for plasmids in primary cells are much lower, with fewer than 10% of cells typically expressing the desired RNA. Therefore, there is a need for alternative compositions and methods for introducing miRNA molecules into cells so that they can be characterized and studied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the inventors' studies regarding the introduction into cells of one or more nucleic acids that function like miRNA or inhibit the activities of one or more miRNAs in cells to characterize their roles in various biological processes. The invention concerns nucleic acids that perform the activities of endogenous miRNAs when introduced into cells. These nucleic acids are synthetic miRNA in some embodiments. The invention further concerns a library of synthetic miRNAs specific to a variety of known miRNAs that can be used to introduce sequentially or in combination one or more miRNAs into cells in vitro or in vivo for the purpose of identifying miRNAs that participate in cellular processes. The invention further involves a library of sequence-specific miRNA inhibitors that can be used to inhibit sequentially or in combination the activities of one or more miRNAs in cells. The two libraries of miRNA-specific reagents are used to introduce or eliminate specific miRNAs or combinations of miRNAs to define the roles of miRNAs in cells.

The term “miRNA” is used according to its ordinary and plain meaning and refers to a microRNA molecule found in eukaryotes that is involved in RNA-based gene regulation. See, e.g., Carrington et al., 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The term will be used to refer to the single-stranded RNA molecule processed from a precursor. Individual miRNAs have been identified and sequenced in different organisms, and they have been given names. Names of miRNAs and their sequences are provided herein. Additionally, other miRNAs are known to those of skill in the art and can be readily implemented in embodiments of the invention. The methods and compositions should not be limited to miRNAs identified in the application, as they are provided as examples, not necessarily as limitations of the invention.

The present invention concerns, in some embodiments of the invention, short nucleic acid molecules that function as miRNAs or as inhibitors of miRNA in a cell. The term “short” refers to a length of a single polynucleotide that is 150 nucleotides or fewer. The nucleic acid molecules are synthetic. The term “synthetic” means the nucleic acid molecule is isolated and not identical in sequence (the entire sequence) and/or chemical structure to a naturally-occurring nucleic acid molecule, such as an endogenous precursor miRNA molecule. While in some embodiments, nucleic acids of the invention do not have an entire sequence that is identical to a sequence of a naturally-occurring nucleic acid, such molecules may encompass all or part of a naturally-occurring sequence. It is contemplated, however, that a synthetic nucleic acid administered to a cell may subsequently be modified or altered in the cell such that its structure or sequence is the same as non-synthetic or naturally occuring nucleic acid, such as a mature miRNA sequence. For example, a synthetic nucleic acid may have a sequence that differs from the sequence of a precursor miRNA, but that sequence may be altered once in a cell to be the same as an endogenous, processed miRNA. The term “isolated” means that the nucleic acid molecules of the invention are initially separated from different (in terms of sequence or structure) and unwanted nucleic acid molecules such that a population of isolated nucleic acids is at least about 90% homogenous, and may be at least about 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100% homogenous with respect to other polynucleotide molecules. In many embodiments of the invention, a nucleic acid is isolated by virtue of it having been synthesized in vitro separate from endogenous nucleic acids in a cell. It will be understood, however, that isolated nucleic acids may be subsequently mixed or pooled together.

Of course, it is understood that a “synthetic nucleic acid” of the invention means that the nucleic acid does not have a chemical structure or sequence of a naturally occuring nucleic acid. Consequently, it will be understood that the term “synthetic miRNA” refers to a “synthetic nucleic acid” that functions in a cell or under physiological conditions as a naturally occuring miRNA.

While many of the embodiments of the invention involve synthetic miRNAs or synthetic nucleic acids, in some embodiments of the invention, the nucleic acid molecule(s) need not be “synthetic.” In certain embodiments, a non-synthetic miRNA employed in methods and compositions of the invention may have the entire sequence and structure of a naturally occurring miRNA precursor or the mature miRNA. For example, non-synthetic miRNAs used in methods and compositions of the invention may not have one or more modified nucleotides or nucleotide analogs. In these embodiments, the non-synthetic miRNA may or may not be recombinantly produced. In particular embodiments, the nucleic acid in methods and/or compositions of the invention is specifically a synthetic miRNA and not a non-synthetic miRNA (that is, not an miRNA that qualifies as “synthetic”); though in other embodiments, the invention specifically involves a non-synthetic miRNA and not a synthetic miRNA. Any embodiments discussed with respect to the use of synthetic miRNAs can be applied with respect to non-synthetic miRNAs, and vice versa.

It will be understood that the term “naturally occurring” refers to something found in an organism without any intervention by a person; it could refer to a naturally-occurring wildtype or mutant molecule. In some embodiments a synthetic miRNA molecule does not have the sequence of a naturally occurring miRNA molecule. In other embodiments, a synthetic miRNA molecule may have the sequence of a naturally occurring miRNA molecule, but the chemical structure of the molecule, particularly in the part unrelated specifically to the precise sequence (non-sequence chemical structure) differs from chemical structure of the naturally occurring miRNA molecule with that sequence. In some cases, the synthetic miRNA has both a sequence and non-sequence chemical structure that are not found in a naturally-occurring miRNA. Moreover, the sequence of the synthetic molecules will identify which miRNA is effectively being provided or inhibited; the endogenous miRNA will be referred to as the “corresponding miRNA.” Corresponding miRNA sequences that can be used in the context of the invention include, but are not limited to, those sequences in SEQ ID NOs: 1-593 and those miRNAs listed in the appendix. In addition synthetic nucleic acids of the invention may include SEQ ID NOs:594-703 as well as any other miRNA sequence, miRNA precursor sequence, or any sequence complementary thereof. In some embodiments, the sequence is or is derived from a probe sequence identified in the appendix to target the particular miRNA (or set of miRNAs) that can be used with that probe sequence.

Synthetic miRNA of the invention are RNA or RNA analogs in some embodiments of the invention. MiRNA inhibitors may be DNA or RNA, or analogs thereof miRNA and miRNA inhibitors of the invention are collectively referred to as “synthetic nucleic acids.” In some embodiments, there is a synthetic miRNA having a length of between 17 and 130 residues. The present invention concerns synthetic miRNA molecules that are, are at least, or are at most 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, or 130 residues in length, or any range derivable therein.

In certain embodiments, synthetic miRNA have a) an “miRNA region” whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is identical to a mature miRNA sequence, and b) a “complementary region” whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is between 60% and 100% complementary to the miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments, these synthetic miRNA are also isolated, as defined above. The term “miRNA region” refers to a region on the synthetic miRNA that is at least 90% identical to the entire sequence of a mature, naturally occurring miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments, the miRNA region is or is at least 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, 99.9 or 100% identical to the sequence of a naturally-occurring miRNA.

The term “complementary region” refers to a region of a synthetic miRNA that is or is at least 60% complementary to the mature, naturally occurring miRNA sequence that the miRNA region is identical to. The complementary region is or is at least 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, 99.9 or 100% complementary, or any range derivable therein. With single polynucleotide sequences, there is a hairpin loop structure as a result of chemical bonding between the miRNA region and the complementary region. In other embodiments, the complementary region is on a different nucleic acid molecule than the miRNA region, in which case the complementary region is on the complementary strand and the miRNA region is on the active strand.

In other embodiments of the invention, there are synthetic nucleic acids that are miRNA inhibitors. An miRNA inhibitor is between about 17 to 25 nucleotides in length and comprises a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA. In certain embodiments, an miRNA inhibitor molecule is 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 nucleotides in length, or any range derivable therein. Moreover, an miRNA inhibitor has a sequence (from 5′ to 3′) that is or is at least 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, 99.9 or 100% complementary, or any range derivable therein, to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA, particularly a mature, naturally occurring miRNA. Probe sequences for miRNAs are disclosed in the appendix. While they have more sequence than an miRNA inhibitor, one of skill in the art could use that portion of the probe sequence that is complementary to the sequence of a mature miRNA as the sequence for an miRNA inhibitor. Table 1 indicates what the mature sequence of an miRNA is. Moreover, that portion of the probe sequence can be altered so that it is still 90% complementary to the sequence of a mature miRNA.

In some embodiments, of the invention, a synthetic miRNA contains one or more design elements. These design elements include, but are not limited to: i) a replacement group for the phosphate or hydroxyl of the nucleotide at the 5′ terminus of the complementary region; ii) one or more sugar modifications in the first or last 1 to 6 residues of the complementary region; or, iii) noncomplementarity between one or more nucleotides in the last 1 to 5 residues at the 3′ end of the complementary region and the corresponding nucleotides of the miRNA region.

In certain embodiments, a synthetic miRNA has a nucleotide at its 5′ end of the complementary region in which the phosphate and/or hydroxyl group has been replaced with another chemical group (referred to as the “replacement design”). In some cases, the phosphate group is replaced, while in others, the hydroxyl group has been replaced. In particular embodiments, the replacement group is biotin, an amine group, a lower alkylamine group, an acetyl group, 2′O-Me (2′oxygen-methyl), DMTO (4,4′-dimethoxytrityl with oxygen), fluoroscein, a thiol, or acridine, though other replacement groups are well known to those of skill in the art and can be used as well. This design element can also be used with an miRNA inhibitor.

Additional embodiments concern a synthetic miRNA having one or more sugar modifications in the first or last 1 to 6 residues of the complementary region (referred to as the “sugar replacement design”). In certain cases, there is one or more sugar modifications in the first 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more residues of the complementary region, or any range derivable therein. In additional cases, there is one or more sugar modifications in the last 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more residues of the complementary region, or any range derivable therein, have a sugar modification. It will be understood that the terms “first” and “last” are with respect to the order of residues from the 5′ end to the 3′ end of the region. In particular embodiments, the sugar modification is a 2′O-Me modification. In further embodiments, there is one or more sugar modifications in the first or last 2 to 4 residues of the complementary region or the first or last 4 to 6 residues of the complementary region. This design element can also be used with an miRNA inhibitor. Thus, an miRNA inhibitor can have this design element and/or a replacement group on the nucleotide at the 5′ terminus, as discussed above.

In other embodiments of the invention, there is a synthetic miRNA in which one or more nucleotides in the last 1 to 5 residues at the 3′ end of the complementary region are not complementary to the corresponding nucleotides of the miRNA region (“noncomplementarity”) (referred to as the “noncomplementarity design”). The noncomplementarity may be in the last 1, 2, 3, 4, and/or 5 residues of the complementary miRNA. In certain embodiments, there is noncomplementarity with at least 2 nucleotides in the complementary region.

It is contemplated that synthetic miRNA of the invention have one or more of the replacement, sugar modification, or noncomplementarity designs. In certain cases, synthetic RNA molecules have two of them, while in others these molecules have all three designs in place.

The miRNA region and the complementary region may be on the same or separate polynucleotides. In cases in which they are contained on or in the same polynucleotide, the miRNA molecule will be considered a single polynucleotide. In embodiments in which the different regions are on separate polynucleotides, the synthetic miRNA will be considered to be comprised of two polynucleotides.

When the RNA molecule is a single polynucleotide, there is a linker region between the miRNA region and the complementary region. In some embodiments, the single polynucleotide is capable of forming a hairpin loop structure as a result of bonding between the miRNA region and the complementary region. The linker constitutes the hairpin loop. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the linker region is, is at least, or is at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 residues in length, or any range derivable therein. In certain embodiments, the linker is between 3 and 30 residues (inclusive) in length.

In addition to having an miRNA region and a complementary region, there may be flanking sequences as well at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the region. In some embodiments, there is or is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 nucleotides or more, or any range derivable therein, flanking one or both sides of these regions.

The present invention also concerns a collection of synthetic nucleic acid molecules, referred to as a library. A collection may contain, contain at least or contain at most 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550 or more different types (by structure and/or sequence) of nucleic acids. Libraries may contain synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors.

Embodiments involving libraries and methods of using nucleic acids of the invention may be applied to miRNA and miRNA inhibitors. Thus, any embodiment discussed with respect to nucleic acids of the invention may generally be applicable to miRNA and miRNA inhibitor molecules, and vice versa. Moreover, embodiments discussed with respect to miRNA may be applied to miRNA inhibitors and vice versa.

The present invention also concerns methods of characterizing an miRNA activity or function in a cell. In some embodiments, a method comprises: a) introducing into one or more cells a synthetic miRNA molecule; and b) comparing one or more characteristics of cell(s) having the RNA molecule with cells in which the synthetic miRNA molecule has not been introduced. In certain embodiments, the cells with the synthetic miRNA may be compared to cells in which a different molecule was introduced (such as a negative control that does not include an miRNA region or has an miRNA region for a different miRNA). It is contemplated that the compared cells need not be evaluated at the same time. In fact, the comparison cells need not have been cultured at the same time; one may refer to a report or previous observation.

Other methods include reducing or eliminating activity of one or more miRNAs from a cell comprising: a) introducing into a cell an miRNA inhibitor. In certain embodiment, methods also include comparing one or more characteristics of a cell having the miRNA inhibitor with a cell not having the miRNA inhibitor.

The synthetic nucleic acids discussed above and herein can be used in methods of the invention. Thus, in certain embodiments, the methods involve synthetic nucleic acids with the different designs in them.

Characteristics of cells that may be evaluated are not limited. They include the following characteristics and characteristics associated with the following: cell proliferation, mitotic index, cell cycle, apoptosis, motility, adhesion, signal transduction, protein localization, gene expression, RNA localization, cell division, DNA replication, post-translational modification, differentiation, de-differentiation, transcriptional activation, protein activation, angiogenesis, metabolism (energy production and/or consumption), protein degradation, chromatin condensation, microtubule production, DNA replication, recombination, and DNA repair functions. It is contemplated that these characteristics may be relevant globally to the cell (for example, overall protein production reduced) or to individual species in the cell (for example, induction of a specific protein(s)).

It is contemplated that this method may be applied with respect to a variety of different synthetic and/or nonsynthetic miRNAs in separate or the same cells. In some cases, the following numbers of different synthetic miRNA molecules may be introduced into different cells: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300 or more, or any range derivable therein (or at least or at most these numbers). The invention is not limited by cell type. It is contemplated that any cell expressing miRNA or any cell having a characteristic altered by an miRNA is amenable to the methods and compositions of the invention. Use of two or more miRNAs may be combined in a single pharmaceutical composition as a cocktail or may be used in any therapeutic, diagnostic or prognostic method of the invention. It is contemplated that methods of the invention may involve, involve at least, or involve at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300 or more, or any range derivable therein, nucleic acid molecules corresponding to different miRNAs. Such nucleic acid molecules include synthetic miRNAs molecules, nonsynthetic miRNA molecules, and miRNA inhibitors.

In some embodiments, it may be useful to know whether a cell expresses a particular miRNA endogenously or whether such expression is affected under particular conditions or when it is in a particular disease state. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, methods include assaying the cell for the presence of the miRNA that is effectively being introduced by the synthetic miRNA molecule or inhibited by an miRNA inhibitor. Consequently, in some embodiments, methods include a step of generating an miRNA profile for a sample. The term “miRNA profile” refers to a set of data regarding the expression pattern for a plurality of miRNAs in the sample; it is contemplated that the miRNA profile can be obtained using an miRNA array. In some embodiments of the invention, an miRNA profile is generated by steps that include: a) labeling miRNA in the sample; b) hybridizing the miRNA to an miRNA array; and, c) determining miRNA hybridization to the array, wherein an miRNA profile is generated. See U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/575,743 and the U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/649,584, and U.S. atent application Ser. No. 11/141,707, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Additionally, a cell that is introduced with a synthetic miRNA or an miRNA inhibitor may be subsequently evaluated or assayed for the amount of endogenous or exogenous miRNA or miRNA inhibitor. Any cell type is contemplated for use with the invention. The cell may be from or in a mammal, such as a monkey, horse, cow, pig, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, mouse, rat, or human.

In other methods of the invention, a step of synthesizing or obtaining the synthetic RNA molecule is included.

In additional embodiments, the synthetic nucleic acid is introduced into the cell by calcium phosphate transfection, lipid transfection, electroporation, microinjection, or injection. In addition, a cell may be in a subject, which may be a patient or an animal model. In this case, synthetic nucleic acids can be administered to the subject or patient using modes of administration that are well known to those of skill in the art, particularly for therapeutic applications. It is particularly contemplated that a patient is human or any other mammal or animal having miRNA.

The present invention also concerns inducing certain cellular characteristics by providing to a cell a particular nucleic acid, such as a specific synthetic miRNA molecule or a synthetic miRNA inhibitor molecule. However, in methods of the invention, the miRNA molecule or miRNA inhibitor need not be synthetic. They may have a sequence that is identical to a naturally occurring miRNA or they may not have any design modifications. In certain embodiments, the miRNA molecule and/or an miRNA inhibitor are synthetic, as discussed above.

The particular nucleic acid molecule provided to the cell is understood to correspond to a particular miRNA in the cell, and thus, the miRNA in the cell is referred to as the “corresponding miRNA.” In situations in which a named miRNA molecule is introduced into a cell, the corresponding miRNA will be understood to be the induced miRNA. It is contemplated, however, that the miRNA molecule provided introduced into a cell is not a mature miRNA but is capable of becoming a mature miRNA under the appropriate physiological conditions. In cases in which a particular corresponding miRNA is being inhibited by a miRNA inhibitor, the particular miRNA will be referred to as the targeted miRNA. It is contemplated that multiple corresponding miRNAs may be involved. In particular embodiments, more than one miRNA molecule is introduced into a cell. Moreover, in other embodiments, more than one miRNA inhibitor is introduced into a cell. Furthermore, a combination of miRNA molecule(s) and miRNA inhibitor(s) may be introduced into a cell.

Methods include identifying a cell or patient in need of inducing those cellular characteristics. Also, it will be understood that an amount of a synthetic nucleic acid that is provided to a cell or organism is an “effective amount,” which refers to an amount needed to achieve a desired goal, such as inducing a particular cellular characteristic(s).

In certain embodiments of the methods include providing or introducing to a cell a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to a mature miRNA in the cell in an amount effective to achieve a desired physiological result. Such methods are disclosed herein. Moreover, methods of the invention involve diagnosing a patient based on an miRNA expression profile. In certain embodiments, the elevation or reduction in the level of expression of a particular miRNA in a cell is correlated with a disease state compared to the expression level of that miRNA in a normal cell. This correlation allows for diagnostic methods to be carried out when that the expression level of an miRNA is measured in a biological sample being assessed and then compared to the expression level of a normal cell.

In these different methods, the corresponding miRNA involved in the method may be one or more of at least the following: Let 7a, let 7a-1, let 7b, let 7b-1, let-7c, let-7d, let 7g, miR-1, miR-1-d, miR-1-2, miR-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-17, miR-17-3p, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-20, miR-21, miR-22, miR-23, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-24, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-27a, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a, miR-30e-5p, miR-31, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-93, miR-95, miR-96, miR-98, miR-99a, miR-100, miR-101, miR-105, miR-106, miR-107, miR-108, miR-122, miR-124, miR-125, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-127, miR-128, miR-129, miR-130, miR-130a, miR-133, miR-133a, miR-133a-2, miR-133b, miR-134, miR-135, miR-137, miR-138, miR-139, miR-140, miR-141, miR-142, miR-143, miR-145, miR-147, miR-148, miR-149, miR-150, miR-152, miR-153, miR-154, miR-155, miR-181, miR-182, miR-183, miR-184, miR-186, miR-187, miR-188, miR-190, miR-191, miR-192, miR-193, miR-194, miR-195, miR-196, miR-197, miR-198, miR-199, miR-199a-1, miR-200b, miR-201, miR-203, miR-204, miR-206, miR-207, miR-208, miR-210, miR-211, miR-212, miR-213, miR-214, miR-215, miR-216, miR-217, miR-218, miR-222, miR-223, miR-224, miR-291-3p, miR-292, miR-292-3p, miR-293, miR-294, miR-295, miR-296, miR-297, miR-298, miR-299, miR-320, miR-321, miR-322, miR-324, miR-325, miR-326, miR-328, miR-329, miR-330, miR-331, miR-333, miR-335, miR-337, miR-338, miR-340, miR-341, miR-342, miR-344, miR-345, miR-346, miR-350, miR-367, miR-368, miR-369, miR-370, miR-371, miR-373, miR-380-3p, miR-409, miR-410, or miR-412.

Moreover, methods can involve providing synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecules. It is contemplated that in these embodiments, methods may or may not be limited to providing only one or more synthetic miRNA molecules or only on or more nonsynthetic miRNA molecules. Thus, in certain embodiments, methods may involve providing both synthetic and nonsynthetic miRNA molecules. In this situation, a cell or cells are most likely provided a synthetic miRNA molecule corresponding to a particular miRNA and a nonsynthetic miRNA molecule corresponding to a different miRNA. Furthermore, any method articulated a list of miRNAs using Markush group language may be articulated without the Markush group language and a disjunctive article (i.e., or) instead, and vice versa.

In some embodiments, there is a method for reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule having a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA selected from the group consisting of: mir-31, mir-92, mir-99a, mir-100, mir-125a, mir-129, mir-130a, mir-150, mir-187, miR-190, miR-191, miR-193, miR 204, mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-213, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, miR 218, mir-224, mir-292, mir-294, mir-320, mir-324, mir-325, mir-326, mir-330, mir-331, mir-338, mir-341, mir-369, and mir-370; or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: miR-15a, miR-16, miR 21, miR 24, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, or miR-346.

In addition or alternatively, any of the following may be included in the group from which the miRNA inhibitor molecule (i) may be chosen: Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, miR-7, mir-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-17-3p, miR-20, miR-23b, mir-25, miR-26a, miR-26a, mir-30e-5p, mir-31, mir-32, mir-92, mir-93, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, mir-127, miR-128, miR-129, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-138, mir-139, miR-140, mir-141, mir-143, mir-145, mir-146, miR-150, mir-154, mir-155, mir-181a, miR-182, mir-186, miR-187, miR-188, mir-190, mir-191, mir-193, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, mir-204, mir-216, mir-218, miR-223, mir-293, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, miR-373, mir-410, and mir-412. In addition or alternatively, any of the following may be included in the group from which the miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence (ii) may be chosen: let7a-1, Let-7a, Let-7b, let7b-1, let7c, let7d, Let-7g, mir-9, mir-10a, mir-10b, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-21, mir-23a, mir-23b, mir-24, mir-25, mir-92, mir-95, mir-133a, mir-133a-2, mir-133b, mir-142, mir-152, mir-153, mir-155, mir-181a, mir-182, mir-183, mir-184, mir-186, mir-187, mir-191, mir-193, mir-194, mir-196, mir-199a-1, mir-200b, mir-204, mir-206, mir-21 1, mir-222, mir-223, mir-298, mir-328, mir-342, mir-371, and mir-412.

In other words, methods involve providing a synthetic miRNA inhibitor having a sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a corresponding miRNA that is mir-31, mir-92, mir-99a, mir-100, mir-125a, mir-129, mir-130a, mir-150, mir-187, miR-190, miR-191, miR-193, miR 204, mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-213, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, miR 218, mir-224, mir-292, mir-294, mir-320, mir-324, mir-325, mir-326, mir-330, mir-331, mir-338, mir-341, mir-369, mir-370, Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, miR-7, mir-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-17-3p, miR-20, miR-23b, mir-25, miR-26a, miR-26a, mir-30e-5p, mir-31, mir-32, mir-92, mir-93, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, mir-127, miR-128, miR-129, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-138, mir-139, miR-140, mir-141, mir-143, mir-145, mir-146, miR-150, mir-154, mir-155, mir-181a, miR-182, mir-186, miR-187, miR-188, mir-190, mir-191, mir-193, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, mir-204, mir-216, mir-218, miR-223, mir-293, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, miR-373, mir-410, or mir-412. Alternatively or additionally, methods involve providing a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to miR-15a, miR-16, miR 21, miR 24, miR-96, miR-01, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, miR-346, let7a-1, Let-7a, Let-7b, let7b-1, let7c, let7d, Let-7g, mir-9, mir-10a, mir-10b, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-21, mir-23a, mir-23b, mir-24, mir-25, mir-92, mir-95, mir-133a, mir-133a-2, mir-133b, mir-142, mir-152, mir-153, mir-155, mir-181a, mir-182, mir-183, mir-184, mir-186, mir-187, mir-191, mir-193, mir-194, mir-196, mir-199a-1, mir-200b, mir-204, mir-206, mir-211, mir-222, mir-223, mir-298, mir-328, mir-342, mir-371, or mir-412. Methods for reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation can be used as a treatment for diseases and conditions that include, but are not limited to, hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer.

The present invention also concerns methods for inducing or increasing cell proliferation in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into or providing the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let7a-1, Let-7a, Let-7b, let7b-1, let7c, let7d, Let-7g, mir-9, mir-10a, mir-10b, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-21, mir-23a, mir-23b, mir-24, mir-25, mir-92, mir-95, mir-133a, mir-133a-2, mir-133b, mir-142, mir-152, mir-153, mir-155, mir-181a, mir-182, mir-183, mir-184, mir-186, mir-187, mir-191, mir-193, mir-194, mir-196, mir-199a-1, mir-200b, mir-204, mir-206, mir-211, mir-222, mir-223, mir-298, mir-328, mir-342, mir-371, and mir-412; or ii) a miRNA molecule corresponding to Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, miR-7, mir-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-17-3p, miR-20, miR-23b, mir-25, miR-26a, miR-26a, mir-30e-5p, mir-31, mir-32, mir-92, mir-93, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-126, mir-127, miR-128, miR-129, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-138, mir-139, miR-140, mir-141, mir-143, mir-145, mir-146, miR-150, mir-154, mir-155, mir-181a, miR-182, mir-186, miR-187, miR-188, mir-190, mir-191, mir-193, mir-194, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, mir-204, mir-216, mir-218, miR-223, mir-293, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, miR-373, mir-410, and mir-412. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors includes miR-15a, miR-16, miR 21, miR 24, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, or miR-346 and the group of miRNAs molecules corresponding to miRNAs includes mir-31, mir-92, mir-99a, mir-100, mir-125a, mir-129, mir-130a, mir-150, mir-187, miR-190, miR-191, miR-193, miR 204, mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-213, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, miR 218, mir-224, mir-292, mir-294, mir-320, mir-324, mir-325, mir-326, mir-330, mir-331, mir-338, mir-341, mir-369, and mir-370.

Such methods can be used for the treatment of wounds, burns, ischemia, or any other condition, disease, or symptom in which cell proliferation is desirable.

It will be understood in methods of the invention that a cell or other biological matter such as an organism (including patients) can be provided an miRNA or miRNA molecule corresponding to a particular miRNA by administering to the cell or organism a nucleic acid molecule that functions as the corresponding miRNA once inside the cell. The form of the molecule provided to the cell may not be the form that acts an an miRNA once inside the cell. Thus, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, biological matter is provided a synthetic miRNA or a nonsynthetic miRNA, such as one that becomes processed into a mature and active miRNA once it has access to the cell's miRNA processing machinery. In certain embodiments, it is specifically contemplated that the miRNA molecule provided to the biological matter is not a mature miRNA molecule but a nucleic acid molecule that can be processed into the mature miRNA once it is accessible to miRNA processing machinery. The term “nonsynthetic” in the context of miRNA means that the miRNA is not “synthetic,” as defined herein. Furthermore, it is contemplated that in embodiments of the invention that concern the use of synthetic miRNAs, the use of corresponding nonsynthetic miRNAs is also considered an aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

In other embodiments, the methods involve reducing cell viability comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into one or more cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-107, miR-133, miR-137, miR-152, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-191, miR-203, or miR-215; or ii) an miRNA molecule corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, mir-1, mir-7, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, mir-23, mir-24, mir-27a, miR-29a, miR-30a-3p, mir-31, mir-32, miR-34a, miR-101, miR-107, miR-108, miR-122, mir-124, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-135, miR-139, mir-140, miR-141, miR-145, mir-150, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-210, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-329, mir-337, mir-337, mir-345, mir-346, and mir-409. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group i) includes let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7g, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-17-3p, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-20, mir-23a, mir-23b, mir-24, miR-25, miR-26a, mir-32, miR-107, miR-125a, miR-126, mir-128, miR-129, miR-133, miR-137, mir-139, miR-143, miR-152, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-182, miR-191, miR-203, miR-215, and mir-331

Other aspects of the invention include a method for increasing cell viability comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into one or more cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-7, miR-19a, miR-23, miR-24, miR-27a, miR-31, miR-32, miR-134, miR-140, miR-150, miR-192, or miR-193; or ii) an miRNA molecule corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7g, miR-lOa, miR-lOb, miR-15a, miR-17-3p, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-20, mir-23a, mir-23b, mir-24, miR-25, miR-26a, mir-32, miR-107, miR-125a, miR-126, mir-128, miR-129, miR-133, miR-137, mir-139, miR-143, miR-152, miR-155, miR-181a, miR-182, miR-191, miR-203, miR-215, and mir-331. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group i) includes let-7a, let-7b, mir-1, mir-7, miR-lOb, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, mir-23, mir-24, mir-27a, miR-29a, miR-30a-3p, mir-31, mir-32, miR-34a, miR-101, miR-107, miR-108, miR-122, mir-124, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-135, miR-139, mir-140, miR-141, miR-145, mir-150, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-210, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-329, mir-337, mir-337, mir-345, mir-346, or mir-409, and the group of miRNAs molecules corresponding to miRNAs (group ii) includes The present invention also concerns a method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-31 or miR-214; or ii) an miRNA molecule corresponding to let-7b, let-7g, mir-1, mir-1d, mir-7, mir-10a, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, miR-28, miR-28, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-122, mir-148, mir-149, mir-154, mir-184, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-195, mir-196, mir-199a, mir-204, mir-208,mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-214, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, mir-218, mir-293, mir-296, mir-299, mir-321, mir-328, or mir-344. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group i) includes Let-7b, mir-21, mir-23b, mir-25, miR-26a, mir-28, mir-29a, mir-31, miR-32, mir-30a-3p, mir-34a, mir-96, miR-98, mir-100, mir-101, mir-105, mir-108 , miR-125b, miR-126, mir-126, mir-128, mir-137, miR-143, miR-155, mir-207, mir-214, mir-216, mir-223, mir-292-3p, mir-328, mir-335, mir-340, mir-341, mir-367, mir-368, mir-380-3p, and mir-410.

Methods for inducing apoptosis have a number of therapeutic applications including, but not limited to, the treatment of cancer.

Other embodiments of the invention involve a method for inhibiting apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves introducing into the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-7, miR-1-2, miR-148, miR-195, miR-196, miR-199a, miR-204, miR-210, miR-211, miR-212, miR-215, miR-216, miR-218, miR-296, or miR-32 1; or ii) an miRNA molecule corresponding to Let-7b, mir-2 1, mir-23b, mir-25, miR-26a, mir-28, mir-29a, mir-31, miR-32, mir-30a-3p, mir-34a, mir-96, miR-98, mir-100, mir-101, mir-105, mir-108 , miR-125b, miR-126, mir-126, mir-128, mir-137, miR-143, miR-155, mir-207, mir-214, mir-216, mir-223, mir-292-3p, mir-328, mir-335, mir-340, mir-341, mir-367, mir-368, mir-380-3p, or mir-410. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group i) includes let-7b, let-7g, mir-1, mir-1d, mir-7, mir-10a, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, miR-28, miR-28, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-122, mir-148, mir-149, mir-154, mir-184, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-195, mir-196, mir-199a, mir-204, mir-208, mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-214, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, mir-218, mir-293, mir-296, mir-299, mir-321, mir-328, or mir-344.

The present invention also concerns using miRNA compositions to treat diseases or conditions or to prepare therapeutics for the treatment of diseases or conditions. In some embodiments, the invention involves one or more human miRNA selected from the group consisting of let-7, miR-10a, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-17, miR-21, miR-22, miR-23, miR-24, miR-26a, miR-29b, miR-30a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-106, miR-124, miR-125a, miR-126, miR-130, miR130a, miR-133, miR-142, miR-143, miR-144, miR-145, miR-147, miR-181a, miR-182, miR-183, miR-188, miR-189, miR-192, miR-194, miR-195, miR-199a, miR-200b, miR-201, miR-205, miR-219, 206, miR-215, miR-219, miR-223, miR-224, miR-321, miR-328, miR-331, miR-342. and miR-219,346. It is contemplated that 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 more miRNA (or any range derivable therein) may be used for these embodiments. In certain embodiments, methods involve one or more miRNA inhibitors and/or an miRNA molecules corresponding to any of these miRNAs, particularly for the treatment or prevention of cancer. Cancer includes, but is not limited to, malignant cancers, tumors, metastatic cancers, unresectable cancers, chemo- and/or radiation-resistant cancers, and terminal cancers.

In some embodiments of the invention, methods involve one or more miRNA inhibitors and/or an miRNA molecules corresponding to miR-17, miR-21, miR-126, miR-143, miR-145, miR-188, miR-200b, miR-219, or miR-331. In certain embodiments, methods involve one or more of 1) an inhibitor of miR-17, miR-21, miR-182, miR-183, miR-200b, miR-205, miR-223, and/or miR-224; and/or 2) an miRNA corresponding to let-7, miR-10a, miR-16, miR-22, miR-23, miR-24, miR-26a, miR-29b, miR-30a, miR-106, miR-125a, miR-126, miR-130, miR-133, miR-143, miR-144, miR-145, miR-181a, miR-188, miR-219, miR-192, miR-194, miR-195, miR-199a, mmu-miR-201, miR-215, miR-321, miR-328, miR-331, and/or miR-342. Such methods can be used, in some embodiments to treat cancer, including specific cancers. Additionally, an miRNA corresponding to one or more of miR-15a, miR-16, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, or miR-346 may be used to treat cancer or inhibit cell proliferation. It is contemplated that these miRNAs may be used regardless of the source of the cell in which proliferation is undesirable.

It will be understood that shorthand notations are employed such that a generic description of an miRNA refers to any of its gene family members (distinguished by a number), unless otherwise indicated. It is understood by those of skill in the art that a “gene family” refers to a group of genes having the same miRNA coding sequence. Typically, members of a gene family are identified by a number following the initial designation. For example, miR-16-1 and miR-16-2 are members of the miR-16 gene family and “mir-7“refers to miR-7-1, miR-7-2 and miR-7-3. Moreover, unless otherwise indicated, a shorthand notation refers to related miRNAs (distinguished by a letter). Thus, “let-7,“for example, refers to let-7a-1, let7-a-2, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7e, let-7f-1, and let-7f-2.“Exceptions to this shorthand notations will be otherwise identified.

The present invention concerns treating breast cancer or decreasing cell proliferation of breast cancer cells by introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-21, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-24, and/or miR-25, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-99, miR-100, miR-205, miR-197, miR-126, miR-143, miR-145 and/or miR-321. Alternatively or additionally, the miRNAs molecules corresponding to miRNAs (group ii) can include mir-27a, mir-92, mir-96, mir-98, mir-99a, mir-101, mir-105, mir-124, mir-126, mir-129, mir-132, mir-142, mir-147, mir-192, mir-201, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-21 1, mir-214, mir-215, mir-219, mir-220, mir-221, mir-223, mir-297, mir-329, mir-33 1, mir-345, mir-346, mir-409, or mir-41 1.

It will be understand that the term “providing” an agent is used to include “administering” the agent to a patient.

The present invention also relates to treating colon cancer by introducing into or providing to a colon cancer cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-21, miR-106, miR-200b, miR-223, miR-224, miR-31, and/or miR-17; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-145, miR-143, miR-133, miR-342, miR-125a, miR-195, miR-30a, miR-10a, miR-130, miR-192, miR-194, miR-215, miR-144, miR-23, miR-26a, miR-126, miR-199a, miR-188, miR-331, and/or miR-21.

Moreover, methods for treating thyroid cancer involve introducing into or providing to a thyroid cancer cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to the patient 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-21 miR-125, miR-24, miR-200b, miR-29b, miR-221, miR-222, miR-224, miR-10a, and/or miR-183; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-145, miR-22, miR-331, miR-126, miR-30a, miR-199a, miR-223, and/or miR-321.

The treatment of lung cancer is also contemplated as part of the invention. Methods involve introducing into or providing to a lung cancer cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to the patient 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-223, miR-106, miR-21, miR-200b, miR-321, miR-182, miR-183, miR-17, and/or miR-205; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-130a, miR-145, miR-126, miR-331, miR-342, miR-143, Let-7, miR-30a, miR-16, miR-26a, miR-125a, miR-29b, miR-24, miR-328, miR-195, miR-22, miR-181a, miR-331, and/or miR-321. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group 1) includes mir-30e-5p, mir-25, mir-32, mir-92, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-145, mir-216, mir-293, mir-294, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, or mir-412, and the group of miRNAs molecules corresponding to miRNAs (group 2) includes ambi-mir7100, Let-7b, Let-7d, Let-7g, mir-7, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-22, mir-28, mir-29a, mir-34a, mir-96, mir-101, mir-105, mir-108, mir-122, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-125b, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-132, mir-133A, mir-136, mir-137, mir-141, mir-142, mir-147, mir-149, mir-151, mir-152, mir-182, mir-183, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-223, mir-292-3p, mir-337, mir-337, mir-344, mir-345, mir-346, mir-377, or mir-526b*.

The present invention concerns treating cervical cancer or decreasing cell proliferation of cervical cancer cells by providing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, mir-9, mir-145, mir-155, mir-181a, mir-186, mir-190, mir-191, or mir-199, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to mir-1, mir-34a, mir-101, mir-124, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-201, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-215, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-337, mir-339, mir-340, mir-344, mir-345, mir-367, or mir-409.

The present invention concerns treating prostate cancer or decreasing cell proliferation of prostate cancer cells by introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to Let-7a, Let-7b, mir-93, mir-127, mir-154, mir-181a, mir-194, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, or mir-369, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to mir-15a, mir-16, mir-27a, mir-28, mir-30a-3p, mir-34a, mir-101, mir-103, mir-105, mir-107, mir-124, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-132, mir-135, mir-137, mir-141, mir- 142, mir- 147, or mir-297.

The present invention concerns treating skin cancer or decreasing cell proliferation of skin cancer cells by introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-26a, miR-125a, miR-128, mir-138, mir-139, mir-141, mir-143, miR-145, mir-146, miR-150, miR-187, mir-188, mir-190, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, miR-201, mir-204, mir-216, miR-223, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, miR-373, mir-410, or mir-412, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to let 7a, mir-1, mir-7, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-20, mir-26a, mir-28, mir-34a, mir-96, mir-101, mir-105, miR-105, mir-124, mir-126, mir-128, mir-132, mir-133A, mir-136, mir-137, mir-141, mir-142, mir-144, miR-147, mir-154, mir-181a, mir-192, mir-193, miR-195, mir-201, mir-206, mir-206, mir-215, mir-221, mir-223, mir-291, miR-297, mir-302, miR-324-3p, mir-329, mir-330, miR-337, mir-346, mir-346, mir-373, mu-mir-376b, mir-380-3p, or mir-411.The present invention concerns treating leukemia or decreasing cell proliferation of cancerous T cells by introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-15a, miR-23b, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-100, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-129, miR-140, miR-143, or miR-155, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-29a, miR-30a-3p, miR-34a, miR-101, miR-122, or miR-133a. Alternatively or additionally, the group of miRNA inhibitors (group 1) includes let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7g, miR-7, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-17-3p, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-20, miR-125a, miR-126, or miR-182, and the group of miRNAs molecules corresponding to miRNAs (group 2) includes miR-107, miR-134, miR-135, miR-139, miR-141, or miR-145. Moreover, such methods can extend to T-cells generally.

In addition to any miRNAs disclosed herein in the context of decreasing cell proliferation, embodiments of the invention include methods for decreasing cell proliferation comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing or introducing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, miR-7, mir-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-17-3p, miR-20, miR-23b, mir-25, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-26a, mir-30e-5p, mir-32, mir-92, mir-93, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-126, mir-127, miR-128, miR-129, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-138, mir-139, miR-140, mir-141, mir-143, mir-145, mir-146, miR-150, mir-154, mir-155, mir-181a, miR-182, mir-186, miR-187, miR-188, mir-190, mir-191, mir-194, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, mir-204, mir-216, miR-223, mir-293, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, miR-373, mir-410, or mir-412, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to ambi-mir7 100, let 7a, let-7b, let-7d, let-7g, mir-1, mir-7, miR-10b, mir-15a, mir-16, miR-17-3p, mir-20, mir-22, mir-26a, mir-27a, mir-28, mir-28, miR-29a, mir-30a-3p, mir-34a, mir-92, mir-96, mir-98, mir-99a, mir-101, mir-103, mir-105, mir-107, mir-108, mir-122, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-125b, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-132, miR-133a, miR-134, mir-135, mir-136, mir-137, miR-139, mir-141, mir-142, mir-144, miR-145, mir-147, mir-149, mir-151, mir-152, mir-154, mir-181a, mir-182, mir-183, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-195, mir-201, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-21 1, mir-214, mir-215, mir-219, mir-220, mir-221, mir-223, mir-291, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-302, miR-324-3p, mir-329, mir-330, mir-331, mir-337, mir-339, mir-340, mir-344, mir-345, mir-346, mir-367, mir-373, miR-376b, mir-377, mir-380-3p, mir-409, mir-41 1, or mir-526b*. It is particularly contemplated that such methods may be employed in the context of treating cancer or another disease or condition in which cell proliferation plays a role, such as hyproliferative diseases and conditions.

The present invention also concerns embodiments methods for increasing cell proliferation comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing or introducing an effective amount of at least 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to ambi-mir7100, let 7a, let-7b, let-7d, let-7g, mir-1, mir-7, miR-10b, mir-15a, mir-16, miR-17-3p, mir-20, mir-22, mir-26a, mir-27a, mir-28, mir-28, miR-29a, mir-30a-3p, mir-34a, mir-92, mir-96, mir-98, mir-99a, mir-101, mir-103, mir-105, mir-107, mir-108, mir-122, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-125b, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-132, miR-133a, miR-134, mir-135, mir-136, mir-137, miR-139, mir-141, mir-142, mir-144, miR-145, mir-147, mir-149, mir-151, mir-152, mir-154, mir-181a, mir-182, mir-183, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-195, mir-201, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-21 1, mir-214, mir-215, mir-219, mir-220, mir-221, mir-223, mir-291, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-302, miR-324-3p, mir-329, mir-330, mir-331, mir-337, mir-339, mir-340, mir-344, mir-345, mir-346, mir-367, mir-373, miR-376b, mir-377, mir-380-3p, mir-409, mir-41 1, or mir-526b*, and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to Let-7a, Let-7b, Let-7c, Let-7d, Let-7g, miR-7, mir-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-17-3p, miR-20, miR-23b, mir-25, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-26a, mir-30e-5p, mir-32, mir-92, mir-93, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-126, mir-127, miR-128, miR-129, mir-130a, mir-135, mir-138, mir-139, miR-140, mir-141, mir-143, mir-145, mir-146, miR-150, mir-154, mir-155, mir-181a, miR-182, mir-186, miR-187, miR-188, mir-190, mir-191, mir-194, mir-196, mir-197, mir-198, mir-199, mir-201, mir-204, mir-216, miR-223, mir-293, miR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, miR-322, mir-333, mir-335, mir-338, mir-341, mir-350, mir-369, miR-373, mir-410, or mir-412. While not limited to such an embodiment, one use for such a method is to increase or induce proliferation of normal cells or other desirable cells in the context of pretreatment or therapy.

Other aspects of the invention include the treatment of systemic lupus erythrematosus (SLE). In certain embodiments, methods concern introducing into or providing to a patient an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to a patient with SLE or suspect of having SLE 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-21, miR-223, and/or mir-342 expression; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-95, miR-105, miR-137, miR-186, miR-188, miR-199, miR-211, miR-215, mu-miR-290, miR-301, and/or miR-331.

Treatment or prevention of prion diseases is included in methods of the invention. In some cases, method include introducing into or providing to a patient with a prion disease an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to a patient 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding miR-7, miR-9, miR-16, miR-24, miR-26A, miR-27A, and/or miR-130A; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to miR-95 and/or miR-135A. The patient may be one diagnosed with a prion disease, one at risk for a prion disease, or one suspected of having a prion disease. It is specifically contemplated that in some embodiments of the invention, a nucleic acid molecule corresponding to an miRNA is double stranded, wherein both strands have the sequence of the mature miRNA it corresponds to. Such a molecule may be designated with an “as” suffix in embodiments of the invention. For example, a nucleic acid molecule called miR-9-as was used in some experiments described herein. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, a nucleic acid molecule is an miRNA-as molecule.

The present invention also concerns patients diagnosed as having ischemia, those at risk for ischemia, those suspected of having ischemia, or patients with symptoms of ischemia. Methods involve introducing into or providing to a patient an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to a patient 1) one or more miRNA inhibitors corresponding to miR-28, miR-30A, miR-3 1, miR-138, miR-139, miR-140, miR-291 and/or mmu-miR-298; and/or 2) one or more miRNAs corresponding to Let-7f-2 and/or miR-16.

In certain experiments, a synthetic miRNA in which both the sense and antisense strand are derived from a single precursor miRNA is used in methods and compositions of the invention. These are frequently designated with a “P” suffix in which “5P” indicates that the mature miRNA derives from the 5′ end of the precursor and a corresponding “3P” indicates that it dferives from the 3′ end of the precursor, as described on the world wide web at sanger.ac.uk/cgi-bin/rfam/mirna. Moreover, in some embodiments, an miRNA that does not correspond to a known human miRNA was evaluated. It is contemplated that these non-human miRNAs may be used in embodiments of the invention or that there may exist a human miRNA that is homologous to the non-human miRNA.

The present invention in some embodiments concerns methods for reducing cell viability comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is let-7a, let-7b, miR-1, miR-10b, miR-17, miR-19a, miR-20, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-30a, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-122, miR-124, miR-132, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-139, miR-140, miR-144, miR-145, miR-147, miR-155, miR-182, miR-183, miR-184, miR-186, miR-190, miR-193, miR-197, miR-206, miR-208, miR-210, miR-216, miR-217, miR-224, mu-miR-292, mu-miR-293, mu-miR-298, miR-299, miR-301, mu- miR-329, miR-337, mu-miR-344, miR-345, miR-346, miR-369, mu-miR-380, or mu-miR-409; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, miR-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-17, miR-18, miR-20, mir-23b, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-98, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-129, miR-140, miR-141, miR-143, miR-155, or miR-181-a. The term “reducing cell viability” means reducing the number of live cells.

Methods concerning cell viability and cell proliferation may generally be used for therapeutics, diagnostics, creating cell lines with interesting research properties, and inducing differentiation. miRNAs that selectively reduce the proliferation of cancer cells may be employed as therapeutics since they can be delivered to cancer and non-cancer cells alike but will only affect the growth of the cancerous cells. In addition, methods may be used to halt or prevent metastasis or reduce the number of metastases.

It is contemplated in some embodiments that the cell in which the effect is desired (referred to as a “targeted cell”), such as a reduction in cell viability, may be a cell that is diseased or involved in maintaining, promoting, or causing a disease or condition. In certain embodiments, the cell is a cancer cell, while in other embodiments, it is contemplated to be a healthy (non-diseased) cell. In certain embodiments, a targeted cell is in an organism.

Moreover, it is particularly contemplated that a nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell is a synthetic miRNA in some embodiments of the invention.

In other embodiments, the present invention involves methods for increasing cell viability comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, miR-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-17, miR-18, miR-20, mir-23b, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-98, miR-100, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-129, miR-140, miR-141, miR-143, miR- 155, or miR- 181-a; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, miR-1, miR-10b, miR-17, miR-19a, miR-20, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-30a, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-122, miR-124, miR-132, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-139, miR-140, miR-144, miR-145, miR-147, miR-155, miR-182, miR-183, miR-184, miR-186, miR-190, miR-193, miR-197, miR-206, miR-208, miR-210, miR-216, miR-217, miR-224, mu-miR-292, mu-miR-293, mu-miR-298, miR-299, miR-301, mu- miR-329, miR-337, mu-miR-344, miR-345, miR-346, miR-369, mu-miR-380, or mu-miR-409. The term “increasing cell viability” means that cell death is inhibited. In particular embodiments, a cancer cell, such as a leukemia cell, is provided with an effective amount of a nucleic acid capable of being processed into a mature let-7a, let-7b, or miR-10b molecule.

Methods of the invention also relate to inhibiting cellular proliferation comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7g, miR-1, miR-7, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-19a, miR-22, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-96, miR-98, miR-101, miR-122, miR-124, miR-126, miR-129, miR-133b, miR-137, miR-147, miR-192, miR-193, miR-195, miR-205, miR-206, miR-208, miR-210, mu-miR-292, mu-miR-297, miR-299, miR-337, mu-miR-344, miR-345, or miR-346; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-25, miR-27a, miR-31, miR-32, miR-92, miR-139, miR-145, miR-198, miR-212, mu-miR-290, mu-miR-294, miR-323, miR-324, miR-325, miR-331, miR-335, mu-miR-351, miR-369, miR-370, ormiR-373.

In some embodiments there are methods of increasing cellular proliferation comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR-25, miR-27a, miR-31, miR-32, miR-92, miR-139, miR-145, miR-198, miR-212, mu-miR-290, mu-miR-294, miR-323, miR-324, miR-325, miR-331, miR-335, mu-miR-351, miR-369, miR-370, or miR-373; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7a, let-7b, let-7c, let-7d, let-7g, miR-1, miR-7, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-19a, miR-22, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-96, miR-98, miR-101, miR-122, miR-124, miR-126, miR-129, miR-133b, miR-137, miR-147, miR-192, miR-193, miR-195, miR-205, miR-206, miR-208, miR-210, mu-miR-292, mu-miR-297, miR-299, miR-337, mu-miR-344, miR-345, or miR-346.

The present invention also covers methods of inhibiting ERK activation introducing into or providing to a cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves comprising providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of one or more miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7a, mir-294, mir-295, miR-19a, miR-25, miR-96, miR-125a, miR-134, miR-148, miR-152, miR-206, miR-207, miR-210, miR-212, miR-216, miR-217, miR-218, miR-223, mu-miR-294, mu-miR-295, miR-301, miR-328, mu-miR-329, miR-339, miR-370, or miR-372.

In certain embodiments, it also covers methods of activating ERK by introducing into or providing to a cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing or introducing into cells an effective amount of one or more nucleic acids capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR-19a, miR-25, miR-96, miR-125a, miR-134, miR-148, miR-152, miR-206, miR-207, miR-210, miR-212, miR-216, miR-217, miR-218, miR-223, mu-miR-294, mu-miR-295, miR-301, miR-328, mu-miR-329, miR-339, miR-370, or miR-372. Alternatively or in addition to the mature miRNA is let-7, miR-19a, miR-25, miR-96, miR-125a, miR-134, miR-148, miR-152, miR-206, miR-207, miR-210, miR-212, miR-216, miR-217, miR-218, miR-223, mu-miR-294, mu-miR-295, miR-301, miR-328, mu-miR-329, miR-339, miR-370, or miR-372.

In other embodiments of the invention, there are methods of increasing the percentage of apoptotic cells in a population comprising introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) one or more nucleic acid molecules capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is let-7d, miR-22, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-24, miR-27a, miR-31, miR-128, miR-181a, miR-196, miR-198, miR-199, miR-214, miR-217, mu-miR-290, mu-miR-293, miR-324, miR-338, or mu-miR-412; or 2) an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-34a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-126, miR-137, or mu-miR-292. It is specifically contemplated that the population of cells may be diseased or related to a disease or condition.

In further embodiments of the invention, there are methods of decreasing the percentage of apoptotic cells in a population comprising introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR-34a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-126, miR-137, or mu-miR-292; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7d, miR-22, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-24, miR-27a, miR-31, miR-128, miR-181a, miR-196, miR-198, miR-199, miR-214, miR-217, mu-miR-290, mu-miR-293, miR-324, miR-338, or mu-miR-412. It is specifically contemplated that the population of cells may be involved in diseases or conditions involving atrophy or the decrease in the number of healthy cells as a result of apoptosis. One or more of the miRNAs that induce apoptosis may be introduced into abnormal cells like cancer cells to induce cell death, providing a therapeutic response. This could be especially beneficial if the apoptosis-inducing synthetic miRNAs were injected directly into tumor tissues or otherwise delivered with high efficiency to primary or metastatic cancer cells. These same miRNAs may be co-delivered with other therapeutic agents like chemotherapies to supplement their activities and evoke a therapeutic response. Alternatively, the miRNAs that reduce apoptosis may be introduced into normal cells at the same time that a chemotherapeutic reagent that induces apoptosis is introduced, providing some level of protection to the normal cells while the cancer cells are induced to undergo cell death. The miRNAs may also be used as targets for diagnostic assays or to differentiate cells or to create cell lines with interesting research properties.

Methods of the invention include methods for inhibiting or preventing hTert activity in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into the cell an effective amount of at least one i) miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-15a, miR-16, miR-21, mir-24, miR-26a, miR-92, miR-105, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-128, mir-147, miR-195, miR-207, miR-224, miR-295, mir-301, miR-337, mir-368, or mir-371 or ii) a nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR-26a, miR-147, mir-195, and mir-368. It is specifically contemplated that it is desirable to inhibit hTert activity in cancer cells or in a patient at risk for or suspected of having cancer. Methods of the invention include methods for inducing hTert activity in a cell comprising providing to or introducing into the cell an effective amount of at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR- 15 a, miR-16, miR-2 1, mir-24, miR-26a, miR-92, miR-105, miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-128, mir-147, miR-195, miR-207, miR-224, miR-295, mir-301, miR-337, mir-368, or mir-371. Alternatively or additionally, hTert activity may be induced in a cell comprising providing to or introducing into the cell an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-26a, miR-147, mir-195, or mir-368.

In other embodiments of the invention there are methods for identifying an miRNA that inhibits an hTert activating gene product comprising: a) introducing into a cell a candidate miRNA into a cell; and, b) assaying the level of hTert expression or hTert activity in the cell, wherein a reduction in hTert expression or activity compared to a cell lacking the miRNA identifies the miRNA as a potential inhibitor of an hTert activating gene product. In particular embodiments, the sequence of the candidate miRNA was previously evaluated for an ability to inhibit an hTert activating gene product. Computer programs and algorithms may be employed to assess whether a particular miRNA sequence can target a particular cellular gene. In certain embodiments, thTert activating gene product is selected from the group consisting of ACOX1, AKT1, APAFI, COX-5B, COX6, COX7B, CPOX, DUOX2, GPX1, GPX2, GPX4, LPO, MAPK1, MAPK4, MTCO1l, NOX3, NOX5, PAOX, PPOX, PRKCA, PRKCD, and TNFRSF6. These methods may be used for combating telomerase activity and cancer progression.The invention also includes methods for inhibiting stimulation of Stat3 in a cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cell an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to the cell an effective amount of an miRNA selected from the group consisting of mir-93, mir-100, mir-134, mir-99a, mir-103, mir-128, mir-129, mir-181b, mir-193, mir-197, mir-212, mir-218, mir-219, mir-302, mir-323, mir-324-3p, mir-325, mir-330, mir-331, mir-340, mmu-mir-350, mir-425, mir-491, mir-518f, mir-520a*. Such methods can be used for treating diseases and conditions characterized by inflammation. These include, but are not limited to, tissue destruction, organ failure or inflammatory diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Asthma, Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and related conditions), Multiple Sclerosis, obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and Cardiovascular disease. Additionally, such methods may be used for therapeutics, diagnostics, prognostics, creating cell lines with interesting research properties, and inducing differentiation.

The present invention also concerns methods of influencing the cell cycle of a cell or population of cells. It is contemplated that methods can involve relatively increasing the number of cells in a particular phase of the cell cycle, such as S, G1, G2/M, or when the number of chromosomes is greater than 2N. Alternatively, it can involve inducing DNA synthesis in a cell. One or more of the miRNAs involved in the cell cycle can be used to modulate a cell, particularly a cancer cell, to achieve a therapeutic benefit for a patient with such cells. Such methods may be used, for example, to enhance the efficacy of a therapeutic agent or they may be employed in the context of research, for instance, to synchronize cells so as to generate a more homogeneous population of cells. Moreover, these miRNAs may regulate genes that are involved in controlling cell cycle progression. Mis-expression of one or more of these miRNAs may profoundly affect the cells in which they reside, leading potentially toward cancer or other diseases associated with altered cell cycle regulation. In addition to using these miRNAs as diagnostic analytes, they might also provide targets for treating disease. For instance, a cancer cell that has bypassed a critical cell cycle signal by having a cell cycle-specific miRNA might be returned to normalcy by introducing the miRNA.

Methods of promoting cells to be in S phase can be achieved by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is let-7a, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-20, mir-26a, mir-191, mir-197, mir-205, mir-220, mir-224, mir-290, mir-291, mir-294, mir-295, mir-302, mir-345, mir-372, or mir-411; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to mir-108, mir-122, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-142, mir-146, mir-147, mir-186, mir-187, mir-195, mir-297, mir-324-3p, mir-337, or mir-376b.

The invention also includes methods of inhibiting cells to be in S phase by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is mir-108, mir-122, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-142, mir-146, mir-147, mir-186, mir-187, mir-195, mir-297, mir-324-3p, mir-337, or mir-376b; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to let-7a, mir-15a, mir-16, mir-20, mir-26a, mir-191, mir-197, mir-205, mir-220, mir-224, mir-290, mir-291, mir-294, mir-295, mir-302, mir-345, mir-372, or mir-411.

Methods of promoting cells to be in G1 phase can be achieved by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is mir-108, mir-122, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-142, mir-146, mir-147, mir-195, mir-201, mir-297, mir-320, mir-325, mir-324-3p, mir-337, mir-371, mir-376b, or mir-409; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to Let-7a, mir-1, mir-7d, mir-20, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-192, mir-193, mir-206, mir-220, mir-290, mir-294, mir-329, mir-371, mir-373, or mir-409.

Other methods concern inhibiting cells in G1 phase by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is Let-7a, mir-1, mir-7d, mir-20, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-192, mir-193, mir-206, mir-220, mir-290, mir-294, mir-329, mir-371, mir-373, mir-409; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to mir-108, mir-122, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-142, mir-146, mir-147, mir-195, mir-201, mir-297, mir-320, mir-325, mir-324-3p, mir-337, mir-371, mir-376b, or mir-409.

Also, there are methods of promoting cells to be in G2/M phase by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is mir-1, mir-7a, mir-7d, mir-7g, mir-20, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-145, mir-187, mir-192, mir-193, mir-206, mir-215, mir-220, mir-223, mir-294, mir-329, mir-371, mir-373, or mir-409; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to mir-15a, mir-18, mir-122, mir-124, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-146, mir-147, mir-195, mir-219, mir-337, or mir-371.

In other embodiments there are methods relating to inhibiting cells to be in G2/M phase by introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of 1) at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is mir-15a, mir-18, mir-122, mir-124, mir-126, mir-128, mir-129, mir-137, mir-146, mir-147, mir-195, mir-219, mir-337, or mir-371; or 2) at least one miRNA inhibitor corresponding to mir-1, mir-7a, mir-7d, mir-7g, mir-20, mir-21, mir-26a, mir-145, mir-187, mir-192, mir-193, mir-206, mir-215, mir-220, mir-223, mir-294, mir-329, mir-371, mir-373, or mir-409.

The present invention also includes methods of increasing the number of cells with 2× or more DNA in the cell comprising introducing into or providing to the cells an effective amount of i) an miRNA inhibitor molecule or ii) a synthetic or nonsynthetic miRNA molecule that corresponds to an miRNA sequence. In certain embodiments the methods involves providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of at least one nucleic acid molecule capable of being processed into a mature miRNA when it is inside the cell, wherein the mature miRNA is miR-1, miR-20, miR-21, miR-337, miR-345, or miR-373. The present invention is also concerned with reducing the number of cells with 2× (also referred to as 2N, where N is the number of sets of chromosomes) comprising providing to or introducing into cells an effective amount of an miRNA inhibitor corresponding to miR-1, miR-20, miR-21, miR-337, miR-345, or miR-373.

In certain embodiments, methods also include targeting an miRNA to modulate in a cell or organism. The term “targeting an miRNA to modulate” means a nucleic acid of the invention will be employed so as to modulate the selected miRNA. In some embodiments the modulation is achieved with a synthetic or non-synthetic miRNA that corresponds to the targeted miRNA, which effectively provides the targeted miRNA to the cell or organism (positive modulation). In other embodiments, the modulation is achieved with an miRNA inhibitor, which effectively inhibits the targeted miRNA in the cell or organism (negative modulation).

In some embodiments, the miRNA targeted to be modulated is an miRNA that affects a disease, condition, or pathway. In certain embodiments, the miRNA is targeted because a treatment can be provided by negative modulation of the targeted miRNA. In other embodiments, the miRNA is targeted because a treatment can be provided by positive modulation of the targeted miRNA.

In further embodiments of the invention, there is a step of obtaining a nucleic molecule of the invention that achieves negative modulation of the targeted miRNA. Alternatively, in some cases there is a step of obtaining a nucleic molecule of the invention that achieves positive modulation of the targeted miRNA. Thus, it is contemplated that methods involve selecting and/or obtaining a synthetic miRNA, non-synthetic miRNA or an miRNA inhibitor (collectively “miRNA modulators”) that corresponds to a targeted miRNA, such as one that is involved with, affects or is characteristic of a particular disease, condition, pathway, or factor in the pathway.

In certain methods of the invention, there is a further step of administering the selected miRNA modulator to a cell, tissue, organ, or organism (collectively “biological matter”) in need of treatment related to modulation of the targeted miRNA or in need of the physiological or biological results discussed herein (such as with respect to a particular cellular pathway or result like decrease in cell viability). Consequently, in some methods of the invention there is a step of identifying a patient in need of treatment that can be provided by the miRNA modulator(s). It is contemplated that an effective amount of an miRNA modulator can be administered in some embodiments. In particular embodiments, there is a therapeutic benefit conferred on the biological matter, where a “therapeutic benefit” refers to an improvement in the one or more conditions or symptoms associated with a disease or condition or an improvement in the prognosis, duration, or status with respect to the disase. It is contemplated that a therapeutic benefit includes, but is not limited to, a decrease in pain, a decrease in morbidity, a decrease in a symptom. For example, with respect to cancer, it is contemplated that a therapeutic benefit can be inhibition of tumor growth, prevention of metastasis, reduction in number of metastases, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of cell death in cancer cells, inhibition of angiogenesis near cancer cells, induction of apoptosis of cancer cells, reduction in pain, reduction in risk of recurrence, induction of chemo- or radiosensitivity in cancer cells, prolongation of life, and/or delay of death directly or indirectly related to cancer.

It is specifically contemplated that miRNA profiles for patients, particularly those suspected of having a particular disease or condition, can be generated by evaluating any of the miRNAs discussed in this application. The miRNA profile that is generated from the patient will be one that provides information regarding the particular disease or condition. In many embodiments, the miRNA profile is generated using the miRNA array discussed.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that the miRNA compositions may be provided as part of a therapy to a patient, in conjunction with traditional therapies or preventative agents. Moreover, it is contemplated that any method discussed in the context of therapy may be applied as preventatively, particularly in a patient identified to be potentially in need of the therapy or at risk of the condition or disease for which a therapy is needed.

In other embodiments, the invention concerns a method for inducing transformation in a cell comprising administering to the cell an effective amount of at least one miRNA selected from the group consisting of mir-192, mir-198, and mir-199. Alternatively, methods for preventing cell transformation may be achieved by administering to the cell an effective amount of at least one miRNA inhibitor of mir-192, mir-198, or mir-199.

In addition, methods of the invention concern employing one or more nucleic acids corresponding to an miRNA and a therapeutic drug. The nucleic acid can enhance the effect or efficacy of the drug, reduce any side effects or toxicity, modify its bioavailability, and/or decrease the dosage or frequency needed. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic drug is a cancer therapeutic. Consequently, in some embodiments, there is a method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering to the patient the cancer therapeutic and an effective amount of at least one miRNA molecule that improves the efficacy of the cancer therapeutic or protects non-cancer cells. Furthermore, in some cases the miRNA molecule enhances the efficacy of the cancer therapeutic and is selected from the group consisting of ambi-miR-7100, mir-28, mir-101, mir-124, mir-125a, mir-126, mir-132, mir-136, mir-147, mir-155, mir-182, mir-186, mir-202, mir-206, mir-216, mir-221, mir-224, mir-291, mir-292-3p, mir-297, mir-302, mir-337, mir-372, mir-373, and mir-376b.

Cancer therapies also include a variety of combination therapies with both chemical and radiation based treatments. Combination chemotherapies include but are not limited to, for example, bevacizumab, cisplatin (CDDP), carboplatin, EGFR inhibitors (gefitinib and cetuximab), procarbazine, mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, camptothecin, COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib) ifosfamide, melphalan, chlorambucil, busulfan, nitrosurea, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin (adriamycin), bleomycin, plicomycin, mitomycin, etoposide (VP16), tamoxifen, raloxifene, estrogen receptor binding agents, taxol, taxotere, gemcitabien, navelbine, farnesyl-protein transferase inhibitors, transplatinum, 5-fluorouracil, vincristin, vinblastin and methotrexate, or any analog or derivative variant of the foregoing.

Alternatively or additionally, the miRNA molecule in methods of the invention protects non-cancer cells from the cancer therapeutic and is selected from the group consisting of mir-16, mir-24, mir-30a-3p, mir-125b, mir-152, mir-194, mir-197, mir-214, and mir-331.

Generally, inhibitors of miRNAs can be given to achieve the opposite effect as compared to when nucleic acid molecules corresponding to the mature miRNA are given. Similarly, nucleic acid molecules corresponding to the mature miRNA can be given to achieve the opposite effect as compared to when inhibitors of the miRNA are given. For example, miRNA molecules that increase cell proliferation can be provided to cells to increase proliferation or inhibitors of such molecules can be provided to cells to decrease cell proliferation. The present invention contemplates these embodiments in the context of the different physiological effects observed with the different miRNA molecules and miRNA inhibitors disclosed herein. These include, but are not limited to, the following physiological effects: increase and decreasing cell proliferation, increasing or decreasing apoptosis, increasing transformation, increasing or decreasing cell viability, activating ERK, activating/inducing or inhibiting hTert, inhibit stimulation of Stat3, reduce or increase viable cell number, and increase or decrease number of cells at a particular phase of the cell cycle. Methods of the invention are generally contemplated to include providing or introducing one or more different nucleic acid molecules corresponding to one or more different miRNA molecules. It is contemplated that the following, at least the following, or at most the following number of different nucleic acid molecules may be provided or introduced: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, or any range derivable therein. This also applies to the number of different miRNA molecules that can be provided or introduced into a cell.

The present invention also concerns kit containing compositions of the invention or compositions to implement methods of the invention. In some embodiments, kits can be used to evaluate one or more miRNA molecules. In certain embodiments, a kit contains, contains at least or contains at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 or more synthetic miRNA molecules or miRNA inhibitors, or any range and combination derivable therein. In some embodiments, there are kits for evaluating miRNA activity in a cell.

Kits may comprise components, which may be individually packaged or placed in a container, such as a tube, bottle, vial, syringe, or other suitable container means.

Individual components may also be provided in a kit in concentrated amounts; in some embodiments, a component is provided individually in the same concentration as it would be in a solution with other components. Concentrations of components may be provided as 1×, 2×, 5×, 10×, or 20× or more.

Kits for using synthetic miRNAs, nonsynthetic, and/or miRNA inhibitors of the invention for therapeutic, prognostic, or diagnostic applications are included as part of the invention. Specifically contemplated are any such molecules corresponding to any miRNA reported to influence biological activity, such as those discussed herein.

Negative and/or Positive Control synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are included in some kit embodiments. The Control molecules can be used to verify transfection efficiency and/or control for transfection-induced changes in cells.

It is contemplated that any method or composition described herein can be implemented with respect to any other method or composition described herein and that different embodiments may be combined. It is specifically contemplated that any methods and compositions discussed herein with respect to miRNA molecules or miRNA may be implemented with respect to synthetic miRNAs to the extent the synthetic miRNA is exposed to the proper conditions to allow it to become a mature miRNA under physiological circumstances. The claims originally filed are contemplated to cover claims that are multiply dependent on any filed claim or combination of filed claims.

Any embodiment of the invention involving specific miRNAs by name is contemplated also to cover embodiments involving miRNAs whose sequences are at least 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% identical to the mature sequence of the specified miRNA.

Throughout this application, the term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standard deviation of error for the device or method being employed to determine the value.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” It is specifically contemplated that any embodiments described in the Examples section are included as an embodiment of the invention.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 Overview of miRNA Expression and Activation. MiRNAs are transcribed as part of longer RNA molecules that can be as long as a thousand nucleotides (Lee, 2002). The RNAs are processed in the nucleus into hairpin RNAs of 70-100 nucleotides by the dsRNA-specific ribonuclease Drosha (Lee 2003) (FIG. 1). The hairpin RNAs are transported to the cytoplasm and digested by a second, double-strand specific ribonuclease called Dicer. The resulting 19-23mer miRNA is bound by a complex that is similar to or identical to the RNA-Induced Silencing Complex (RISC) that participates in RNA interference (Hutvagner, 2002). The complex-bound, single-stranded miRNA binds mRNAs with sequences that are significantly, though not completely, complementary to the miRNA. By a mechanism that is not fully understood, but that does not involve mRNA degradation, the bound mRNA is not translated, resulting in reduced expression of the corresponding gene.

FIG. 2. Methods for Introducing miRNAs into Cells. There are three basic methods for introducing miRNAs into cells. In the first, a DNA bearing a promoter upstream of a sequence encoding a miRNAs is introduced into cells where it is transcribed to produce an RNA molecule that includes the mature miRNA. Processing and uptake by the protein complex for miRNA-induced gene regulation results in the activation of the miRNA. This method suffers from inefficient introduction of the DNA construct into cells. In the second method, an siRNA-like dsRNA molecule, one of whose strands is identical to an active miRNA is introduced into cells where it is taken up by the protein complex for miRNA activation. This method provides efficient deliver, but often uptake of the unintended complementary RNA molecule. The third method, described herein, involves modifying the complementary strand so as to favor uptake and activation of the active strand of the synthetic miRNA construct.

FIG. 3. Preferential Uptake of Active Strands in synthetic miRNAs of the invention. Reporter vectors with luciferase under the control of target sites for miR-33 or let-7 or the complementary strands of the afore-mentioned siRNAs. Co-transfection of synthetic miRNAs and reporter vectors followed by luciferase assay 24 hours post-transfection revealed miRNAs that are activated following transfection.

FIG. 4. Synthetic miRNA Activity for various miRNAs. Synthetic miRNAs with siRNA and Pre-miR (5′amine) design were prepared and transfected into HeLa cells at 3 and 10 nM final concentration. The synthetic miRNAs were co-transfected with reporter vectors bearing target sites for the mature miRNAs. The expression of the luciferase reporter in co-transfected cells was measured twenty-four hours post-transfected and expressed in the figure as the reporter expression relative to cells co-transfeted with negative control synthetic miRNAs.

FIG. 5. Synthetic miRNA Activity across Cell Types and Against Natural Targets. Synthetic miRNAs were tested for proper strand activation and cell-type specificity to ensure that the design is robust. Four different cell types were co-transfected with synthetic miRNA and associated active and complementary strand strand activation. Panel A shows that different cell types respond similarly to synthetic miRNAs. Four different synthetic miRNAs were then transfected into various cell types and the expression levels of natural targets of the miRNAs were measured (Panel B).

FIG. 6. Schematic for screening with libraries of synthetic miRNAs or miRNA inhibitors. Synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are distributed to wells of a microtiter plate. Transfection reagent and then cells are added to each well. At some time post-transfection, samples are evaluated for a phenotype. MiRNAs that induce a change that is significant relative to a negative control are selected for further study.

FIG. 7. Screen for miRNAs that affect cell proliferation. In 96-well plates, 8,000 HeLa cells were reverse transfected with miRNA inhibitors (5 pmoles) in triplicates using Ambion siPORT Neo-FX. 72 hours post-transfection, cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, permiabilized with 0.1% TritonX 100 and stained with propidium iodide to look at total cell number. The plates were scanned using the TTP labtech Acumen Explorer. Morphology changes in cells inhibited for mir 31. HeLa cells were transfected with Anti-mir31 and cells were fixed and stained with anti-beta actin antibody and DAPI to visualize cell morphology changes in response to inhibition to mir-31 micro-RNA function.

FIG. 8. Screen for miRNAs that affect cell proliferation in A549 cells. Screen for miRNA involved in cell viability in A549 cells. In 96-well plates, 8,000 A549 cells were reverse transfected with miRNA inhibitors (5 pmoles) in triplicates using Ambion siPORT Neo-FX. 72 hours post-transfection cells were trypsinized and counted using the Guava cell counting instrument. Cell number was graphed and normalized to a gap inhibitor. In this figure, “mirld” refers to mir-1-2.

FIG. 9. Screen for miRNAs that affect apoptosis in HeLa cells. Effects of miRNA inhibitors on caspase activity in HeLa. In 96-well plates, 8,000 HeLa cells were reverse transfected with miRNA inhibitors (5 pmoles) in triplicates using Ambion siPORT Neo-FX. 72 hours post-transfection cells were analyzed using caspase activity assay and normalized based on esterase activity assay. In this figure, “mirld” refers to mir-1-2.

FIG. 10. miRNA Expression in Lung and Colon Cancer Patients. The miRNA expression profiles of tumor vs normal adjacent tissues were compared for lung and colon cancer patients. The miRNAs are provided in rows; the patients are presented in columns. Green in the heat map shows miRNAs that are down-regulated in the tumor sample relative to the normal adjacent tissue sample, and red shows miRNAs that are up-regulated in the tumor sample relative to the normal adjacent tissue sample.

FIG. 11. Validation of miRNA Array Expression Results in Lung Cancer Patients. Total RNA samples from two lung cancer patients were analyzed for expression of miR-16, miR-21, miR-143, miR-145, and let-7 using Northern analysis. The graphs show the relative abundance of each miRNA (ratio of tumor:NAT) from the array analysis and Northern phosphoimager analysis.

FIG. 12. Some miRNAs are differentially expressed in multiple cancer types. miRNA array analysis comparing tumor and normal adjacent tissues from patients with various types of cancer was used to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in cancer. The percentage of patients exhibiting up- or down-regulation of a given miRNA was calculated for each cancer type. The eight that were most often differentially expressed across sample types are presented.

FIG. 13. Shown are miRNAs having greater than 1.5-fold expression changes between both infected vs. uninfected and sensitive vs. insensitive. On the right is a cluster of the results from 2 arrays of each model.

FIG. 14. Differentially expressed miRNAs in 3 preconditioned mice relative to non-treated mice.

FIGS. 15A-C. Synthetic miRNAs that decrease cell proliferation. A. BT549 and MCF12A (breast), HeLa (cervical) and 22 Rv1 (prostate) cells were evaluated for cell proliferation. B. TE354T and TE353SK (skin), BJ (skin), and A549 (lung) cells were examined for cell proliferation. C. CRL5826 and HTB-57 (lung), Jurkats (T cell), and primary T cells were evaluated for cell proliferation.

FIG. 16. Synthetic miRNAs that increase cell proliferation. HeLa (cervical), 22 Rv1 (prostate), TE354T and TE353SK (skin), BJ (skin), A549 (lung), Jurkats (T cell), primary T cells, CRL5826 and HTB-57 (lung) cells were evaluated for cell proliferation.

FIG. 17. miRNA inhibitors that reduce cell proliferation. 22 Rvl (prostate), TE354T (skin), MCF12a (breast), and A549 (lung) cells were evaluated for cell proliferation.

FIG. 18. miRNA inhibitors that increase cell proliferation. 22 Rv1 (prostate), TE354T (skin), MCF12a (breast), and A549 (lung) cells were evaluated for cell proliferation.

FIG. 19. miRNAs that affect cell viability. Jurkats (T cell), primary T cells, HeLa (cervical) and A549 (lung) cells were evaluated for increases and decreases in cell viability.

FIG. 20. miRNAs that affect apoptosis. 22 Rv1 (prostate), TE354T (skin), Jurkats (T cell), and HeLa (cervical) cells were evaluated for increases and decreases in apoptosis.

FIG. 21. miRNAs that affect cell viability in the presence of a therapeutic. A549 (lung) cells were evaluated for increases and decreases in cell viability in the presence and absence of TRAIL or etoposide. HTB-57 and CRL5826 (lung) and HeLa (cervical) cells were evaluated for a reduction in cell viability in the absence and presence of etoposide.

FIG. 22. miRNAs that affect cell cycle. BJ (skin) and HeLa (cervical) cells were evaluated for increases or decreases in the number of cells at certain phases of the cell cycle (G1, S, G2/M, DNA replication).

FIG. 23. Phenotypes of miRNAs with similar sequences. Comparison of related sequences and their effects on cell proliferation.

FIG. 24. Genes associated with hTert regulation and miRNA sequences predicted to modulate their expression.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to compositions and methods relating to preparation and characterization of miRNAs, as well as use of miRNAs for therapeutic, prognostic, and diagnostic applications. To overcome the problem with previous inefficient plasmid-based systems for introducing miRNA into cells, the inventors developed small, partially double-stranded RNAs that can be delivered with high efficiency to both immortalized and primary cells. The small RNAs have the same functional activities as endogenously expressed miRNAs. Because the small RNAs can be delivered to cells with much higher efficiency than can plasmids, they induce a much stronger phenotype that is easier to detect and quantify, making it possible to identify many of the functions of miRNAs in cells.

The inventors have also created a library of the small, double-stranded RNA molecules that can be used to introduce miRNAs into cells, as well as a library of antisense molecules that inhibit the activities of known miRNAs that are present in cells. These libraries have been used to sequentially up- or down-regulate one or more miRNAs in cells to identify those miRNAs that are critical for cellular processes like cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation, viability, angiogenesis, metabolism, and other processes with therapeutic potential. miRNAs that regulate the expression of important genes like p53, MYC, and RAS are also being identified and characterized to further pinpoint miRNAs that might provide important intervention points for treating disease. For example, let-7 has been shown to be involved with RAS. See Johnson et al., 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. These processes of serially modulating miRNA activities and assaying for cellular phenotypes are collectively referred to as miRNA functional screening.

I. miRNA Molecules

MicroRNA molecules (“miRNAs”) are generally 21 to 22 nucleotides in length, though lengths of 17 and up to 25 nucleotides have been reported. The miRNAs are each processed from a longer precursor RNA molecule (“precursor miRNA”). Precursor miRNAs are transcribed from non-protein-encoding genes. The precursor miRNAs have two regions of complementarity that enables them to form a stem-loop- or fold-back-like structure, which is cleaved by an enzyme called Dicer in animals. Dicer is ribonuclease III-like nuclease. The processed miRNA is typically a portion of the stem.

The processed miRNA (also referred to as “mature miRNA”) become part of a large complex to down-regulate a particular target gene. Examples of animal miRNAs include those that imperfectly basepair with the target, which halts translation (Olsen et al., 1999; Seggerson et al., 2002). SiRNA molecules also are processed by Dicer, but from a long, double-stranded RNA molecule. SiRNAs are not naturally found in animal cells, but they can function in such cells in a RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to direct the sequence-specific cleavage of an mRNA target (Denli et al., 2003).

The study of endogenous miRNA molecules is described in U.S. Patent Application 60/575,743, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Synthetic miRNAs

miRNAs are apparently active in the cell when the mature, single-stranded RNA is bound by a protein complex that regulates the translation of mRNAs that hybridize to the miRNA. Introducing exogenous RNA molecules that affect cells in the same way as endogenously expressed miRNAs requires that a single-stranded RNA molecule of the same sequence as the endogenous mature miRNA be taken up by the protein complex that facilitates translational control. A variety of RNA molecule designs have been evaluated. Three general designs that maximize uptake of the desired single-stranded miRNA by the miRNA pathway have been identified. An RNA molecule with an miRNA sequence having at least one of the three designs is referred to as a synthetic miRNA.

Synthetic miRNAs of the invention comprise, in some embodiments, two RNA molecules wherein one RNA is identical to a naturally occurring, mature miRNA. The RNA molecule that is identical to a mature miRNA is referred to as the active strand. The second RNA molecule, referred to as the complementary strand, is at least partially complementary to the active strand. The active and complementary strands are hybridized to create a double-stranded RNA, called the synthetic miRNA, that is similar to the naturally occurring miRNA precursor that is bound by the protein complex immediately prior to miRNA activation in the cell. Maximizing activity of the synthetic miRNA requires maximizing uptake of the active strand and minimizing uptake of the complementary strand by the miRNA protein complex that regulates gene expression at the level of translation. The molecular designs that provide optimal miRNA activity involve modifications to the complementary strand.

Two designs incorporate chemical modifications in the complementary strand. The first modification involves creating a complementary RNA with a chemical group other than a phosphate or hydroxyl at its 5′ terminus. The presence of the 5′ modification apparently eliminates uptake of the complementary strand and subsequently favors uptake of the active strand by the miRNA protein complex. The 5′ modification can be any of a variety of molecules including NH2, NHCOCH₃, biotin, and others.

The second chemical modification strategy that significantly reduces uptake of the complementary strand by the miRNA pathway is incorporating nucleotides with sugar modifications in the first 2-6 nucleotides of the complementary strand. It should be noted that the sugar modifications consistent with the second design strategy can be coupled with 5′ terminal modifications consistent with the first design strategy to further enhance synthetic miRNA activities.

The third synthetic miRNA design involves incorporating nucleotides in the 3′ end of the complementary strand that are not complementary to the active strand. Hybrids of the resulting active and complementary RNAs are very stable at the 3′ end of the active strand but relatively unstable at the 5′ end of the active strand. Studies with siRNAs indicate that 5′ hybrid stability is a key indicator of RNA uptake by the protein complex that supports RNA interference, which is at least related to the miRNA pathwy in cells. The inventors have found that the judicious use of mismatches in the complementary RNA strand significantly enhances the activity of the synthetic miRNA.

MiRNA Libraries

A key application for the synthetic miRNAs is the identification of cellular functions for individual or groups of miRNAs. The inventors have created a library of synthetic miRNAs that can be used to sequentially introduce each of the known miRNAs into cultured cells (FIG. 6). Cell populations with each of the different synthetic miRNAs can then be assayed to identify miRNAs whose presence induces a cellular phenotype.

The inventors have created a library of antisense molecules that inhibit miRNA activity. The miRNA inhibitors are used to serially inhibit the activities of miRNAs in cells to identify miRNAs whose absence induces a cellular phenotype.

The number of different synthetic miRNAs or miRNA inhibitors in the libraries is variable. It is contemplated that there may be, be at least, or be at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 441, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 31, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000 or more, or any range derivable therein, different miRNA-specific molecules in the library. In specific embodiments, libraries have between 5 and 1000 different miRNA-specific molecules, between 20 and 500 different miRNA-specific molecules, between 50 and 250 different miRNA-specific molecules, or between 100 and 225 different miRNA-specific molecules. “Different” miRNA-specific molecules refers to nucleic acids that are specific to miRNAs with different sequences.

Synthetic miRNAs are contemplated to be made primarily of RNA, though in some embodiments, they may be RNA, nucleotide analogs, DNA, or any combination of DNA, RNA, nucleotide analogs, and PNAs.

As suggested above, it is contemplated that libraries of the invention may be specific for one or more miRNAs. In embodiments of the invention, a library has 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 441, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890, 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 990, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 31, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000 or more, or any range derivable therein, different miRNAs or miRNA inhibitors. Accordingly, it is understood that the library contains one or more nucleic acids for these different miRNAs. In specific embodiments, the library is specific to human miRNAs, though libraries for multiple organisms are contemplated.

RNA molecules of the invention have miRNA regions or complementary regions. In specific embodiments, a synthetic miRNA or miRNA inhibitor has a sequence or complementary sequence that derives from any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-805, inclusive. It is particularly contemplated that synthetic nucleic acid molecules of the invention may be derived from any of the mature miRNA sequences in SEQ ID NOs: 1-805 or their complement.

As discussed above, miRNAs are processed from a precursor molecule. In certain embodiments, the specific length of a mature miRNA is unknown. It is contemplated that versions of the synthetic miRNA and miRNA inhibitor libraries will include sequence that extends at least 1 to 5 nucleotides of coding sequence upstream and/or downstream of the predicted miRNA sequence. In some embodiments, molecules have up to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more contiguous nucleotides, or any range derivable therein, that flank the sequence encoding the predominant processed miRNA on one or both sides (5′ and/or 3′ end).

The present invention concerns methods for creating functional profile for all of the known miRNAs. The term “functional profile” refers to a set of data regarding the cellular phenotypes that result from introducing and inhibiting miRNAs in cells using synthetic miRNA and miRNA inihibitor libraries. Functional profiles for individual miRNAs will enable identification of miRNAs with therapeutic or diagnostic potential. For instance, a functional profile for a miRNA might reveal that its absence leads to uncontrolled cell proliferation and an inability to induce apoptosis following DNA damage. Furthermore, the expression of p53 correlates with whether the miRNA is being up-regulated with a synthetic miRNA or down-regulated with a miRNA inhibitor. Based on its ties to cell proliferation, apoptosis, and p53 expression, this miRNA might be a target for cancer therapeutics.

In certain embodiments, methods concern identifying miRNAs indicative of a disease or condition by detecting a correlation between the activity of particular miRNAs and cellular phenotypes that coincide with a disease or condition.

Libraries of the invention can contain miRNA sequences from any organism having miRNAs, specifically including but not limited to, mammals such as humans, mice, and rats. Specifically contemplated are libraries having, having at least, or having at most 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572,600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900, 5000, 5100, 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500, 5600, 5700, 5800, 5900, 6000, 6100, 6200, 6300, 6400, 6500, 6600, 6700, 6800, 6900, 7000, 7100, 7200, 7300, 7400, 7500, 7600, 7700, 7800, 7900, 8000, 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400, 8500, 8600, 8700, 8800, 8900, 9000, 9100, 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500, 9600, 9700, 9800, 9900, 10000 or more different synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors (that is, miRNA-specific molecules having different sequences derived from different miRNA genes). Specifically contemplated are such libraries described in the previous sentence with respect to any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-805, particularly those corresponding to miRNA sequence s(mature sequence) or the complement thereof.

A. Nucleic Acids

The present invention concerns nucleic acid molecules that can introduce or inhibit miRNAs in cultured cells. The nucleic acids may have been produced in cells or in vitro by purified enzymes though they are preferentially produced by chemical synthesis. They may be crude or purified. The term “miRNA,” unless otherwise indicated, refers to the processed RNA, after it has been cleaved from its precursor. Table 1 indicates which SEQ ID NO corresponds to the particular precursor sequence of an miRNA and what sequences within the SEQ ID NO correspond to the mature sequence. The name of the miRNA is often abbreviated and referred to without the prefix and will be understood as such, depending on the context. Unless otherwise indicated, miRNAs referred to in the application are human sequences identified as mir-X or let-X, where X is a number and/or letter. TABLE 1 Human miRNA Sequences Processed Sequence miRNA name Precursor Relative to Precursor hsa-mir-1-2 SEQ ID NO: 1 53-73 hsa-mir-1-1 SEQ ID NO: 2 46-66 hsa-let-7a-1 SEQ ID NO: 3  6-27 hsa-let-7a-2 SEQ ID NO: 4  5-26 hsa-let-7a-3 SEQ ID NO: 5  4-25 hsa-let-7b SEQ ID NO: 6  6-27 hsa-let-7c SEQ ID NO: 7 11-32 hsa-let-7d SEQ ID NO: 8  8-28 hsa-let-7e SEQ ID NO: 9  8-28 hsa-let-7f-1 SEQ ID NO: 10  7-28 hsa-let-7f-2 SEQ ID NO: 11  8-29 hsa-mir-7-1 SEQ ID NO: 12 24-44 hsa-mir-7-2 SEQ ID NO: 13 32-52 hsa-mir-7-3 SEQ ID NO: 14 31-51 hsa-let-7g SEQ ID NO: 15  5-25 hsa-let-7i SEQ ID NO: 16  6-24 hsa-mir-9-1 SEQ ID NO: 17 16-38 and/or 56-76 hsa-mir-9-2 SEQ ID NO: 18 16-38 and/or 54-74 hsa-mir-9-3 SEQ ID NO: 19 16-38 and/or 56-76 hsa-mir-10a SEQ ID NO: 20 22-44 hsa-mir-10b SEQ ID NO: 21 27-48 hsa-mir-15a SEQ ID NO: 22 14-35 hsa-mir-15b SEQ ID NO: 23 20-41 hsa-mir-16-1 SEQ ID NO: 24 14-35 hsa-mir-16-2 SEQ ID NO: 25 10-31 hsa-mir-17 SEQ ID NO: 26 14-37 and/or 51-70 hsa-mir-18 SEQ ID NO: 27  6-27 hsa-mir-19a SEQ ID NO: 28 49-71 hsa-mir-19b-1 SEQ ID NO: 29 54-76 hsa-mir-19b-2 SEQ ID NO: 30 62-84 hsa-mir-20 SEQ ID NO: 31  8-29 hsa-mir-21 SEQ ID NO: 32  8-29 hsa-mir-22 SEQ ID NO: 33 53-74 hsa-mir-23a SEQ ID NO: 34 45-65 hsa-mir-23b SEQ ID NO: 35 58-80 hsa-mir-24-1 SEQ ID NO: 36  6-28 and/or 44-65 hsa-mir-24-2 SEQ ID NO: 37 50-71 hsa-mir-25 SEQ ID NO: 38 52-73 hsa-mir-26a-1 SEQ ID NO: 39 10-31 hsa-mir-26b SEQ ID NO: 40 12-32 hsa-mir-26a-2 SEQ ID NO: 41 14-35 hsa-mir-27a SEQ ID NO: 42 51-72 hsa-mir-27b SEQ ID NO: 43 61-80 hsa-mir-28 SEQ ID NO: 44 14-35 hsa-mir-29a SEQ ID NO: 45 41-62 hsa-mir-29b-1 SEQ ID NO: 46 51-70 hsa-mir-29b-2 SEQ ID NO: 47 52-71 hsa-mir-29c SEQ ID NO: 48 54-75 hsa-mir-30a SEQ ID NO: 49 47-68 hsa-mir-30c-2 SEQ ID NO: 50  7-29 hsa-mir-30d SEQ ID NO: 51  6-27 hsa-mir-30b SEQ ID NO: 52 17-37 hsa-mir-30c-1 SEQ ID NO: 53 17-39 hsa-mir-30e SEQ ID NO: 54  2-21 hsa-mir-31 SEQ ID NO: 55  9-29 hsa-mir-32 SEQ ID NO: 56  6-26 hsa-mir-33 SEQ ID NO: 57  6-24 hsa-mir-34a SEQ ID NO: 58 22-43 hsa-mir-34b SEQ ID NO: 59 14-35 hsa-mir-34c SEQ ID NO: 60 13-34 hsa-mir-92-1 SEQ ID NO: 61 48-69 hsa-mir-92-2 SEQ ID NO: 62 48-69 hsa-mir-93 SEQ ID NO: 63 12-33 hsa-mir-95 SEQ ID NO: 64 49-70 hsa-mir-96 SEQ ID NO: 65  9-30 hsa-mir-98 SEQ ID NO: 66  2-23 hsa-mir-99a SEQ ID NO: 67 13-34 hsa-mir-99b SEQ ID NO: 68  7-28 hsa-mir-100 SEQ ID NO: 69 13-34 hsa-mir-101-1 SEQ ID NO: 70 47-68 hsa-mir-101-2 SEQ ID NO: 71 49-70 hsa-mir-103-2 SEQ ID NO: 72 48-70 hsa-mir-103-1 SEQ ID NO: 73 48-70 hsa-mir-105-1 SEQ ID NO: 74 13-32 hsa-mir-105-2 SEQ ID NO: 75 13-32 hsa-mir-106a SEQ ID NO: 76 13-36 hsa-mir-106b SEQ ID NO: 77 12-32 hsa-mir-107 SEQ ID NO: 78 50-72 hsa-mir-122a SEQ ID NO: 79 15-37 hsa-mir-124a-1 SEQ ID NO: 80 52-73 hsa-mir-124a-2 SEQ ID NO: 81 61-82 hsa-mir-124a-3 SEQ ID NO: 82 52-73 hsa-mir-125b-1 SEQ ID NO: 83 15-36 hsa-mir-125a SEQ ID NO: 84 15-37 hsa-mir-125b-2 SEQ ID NO: 85 17-38 hsa-mir-126 SEQ ID NO: 86 15-35 and/or 52-72 hsa-mir-127 SEQ ID NO: 87 57-78 hsa-mir-128a SEQ ID NO: 88 50-71 hsa-mir-128b SEQ ID NO: 89 52-73 hsa-mir-129-2 SEQ ID NO: 90 15-35 hsa-mir-130a SEQ ID NO: 91 55-74 hsa-mir-130b SEQ ID NO: 92 51-72 hsa-mir-132 SEQ ID NO: 93 59-80 hsa-mir-133a-1 SEQ ID NO: 94 54-75 hsa-mir-133a-2 SEQ ID NO: 95 60-81 hsa-mir-133b SEQ ID NO: 96 67-87 hsa-mir-134 SEQ ID NO: 97  8-28 hsa-mir-135a-1 SEQ ID NO: 98 17-39 hsa-mir-135a-2 SEQ ID NO: 99 23-45 hsa-mir-135b SEQ ID NO: 100 16-37 hsa-mir-136 SEQ ID NO: 101 15-37 hsa-mir-137 SEQ ID NO: 102 60-81 hsa-mir-138-2 SEQ ID NO: 103 10-26 hsa-mir-138-1 SEQ ID NO: 104 23-39 hsa-mir-139 SEQ ID NO: 105  7-24 hsa-mir-140 SEQ ID NO: 106 24-44 hsa-mir-141 SEQ ID NO: 107 60-80 hsa-mir-142 SEQ ID NO: 108 16-35 and/or 52-74 hsa-mir-143 SEQ ID NO: 109 61-82 hsa-mir-144 SEQ ID NO: 110 52-73 hsa-mir-145 SEQ ID NO: 111 16-39 hsa-mir-146 SEQ ID NO: 112 21-42 hsa-mir-147 SEQ ID NO: 113 47-66 hsa-mir-148a SEQ ID NO: 114 44-65 hsa-mir-148b SEQ ID NO: 115 63-84 hsa-mir-149 SEQ ID NO: 116 15-36 hsa-mir-150 SEQ ID NO: 117 16-37 hsa-mir-151 SEQ ID NO: 118 46-67 hsa-mir-152 SEQ ID NO: 119 54-74 hsa-mir-153-1 SEQ ID NO: 120 54-73 hsa-mir-153-2 SEQ ID NO: 121 53-72 hsa-mir-154 SEQ ID NO: 122 15-36 hsa-mir-155 SEQ ID NO: 123  4-25 hsa-mir-181a SEQ ID NO: 124 39-61 hsa-mir-181b-1 SEQ ID NO: 125 36-59 hsa-mir-181c SEQ ID NO: 126 27-48 hsa-mir-181b-2 SEQ ID NO: 127 16-39 hsa-mir-182 SEQ ID NO: 128 23-44 and/or 67-87 hsa-mir-183 SEQ ID NO: 129 27-49 hsa-mir-184 SEQ ID NO: 130 53-74 hsa-mir-185 SEQ ID NO: 131 15-32 hsa-mir-186 SEQ ID NO: 132 15-37 hsa-mir-187 SEQ ID NO: 133 71-91 hsa-mir-188 SEQ ID NO: 134 15-36 hsa-mir-190 SEQ ID NO: 135 15-36 hsa-mir-191 SEQ ID NO: 136 16-37 hsa-mir-192 SEQ ID NO: 137 24-44 hsa-mir-193 SEQ ID NO: 138 55-75 hsa-mir-194-1 SEQ ID NO: 139 15-36 hsa-mir-194-2 SEQ ID NO: 140 15-36 hsa-mir-195 SEQ ID NO: 141 15-35 hsa-mir-196-1 SEQ ID NO: 142  7-27 hsa-mir-196-2 SEQ ID NO: 143 25-45 hsa-mir-197 SEQ ID NO: 144 48-69 hsa-mir-198 SEQ ID NO: 145  6-24 hsa-mir-199a-1 SEQ ID NO: 146  6-28 and/or 46-67 hsa-mir-199a-2 SEQ ID NO: 147 31-53 and/or 69-90 hsa-mir-199b SEQ ID NO: 148 26-48 hsa-mir-200b SEQ ID NO: 149 54-77 hsa-mir-200c SEQ ID NO: 150 45-66 hsa-mir-200a SEQ ID NO: 151 54-75 hsa-mir-203 SEQ ID NO: 152 65-86 hsa-mir-204 SEQ ID NO: 153 33-54 hsa-mir-205 SEQ ID NO: 154 34-55 hsa-mir-206 SEQ ID NO: 155 53-74 hsa-mir-208 SEQ ID NO: 156 44-65 hsa-mir-210 SEQ ID NO: 157 66-86 hsa-mir-211 SEQ ID NO: 158 26-47 hsa-mir-212 SEQ ID NO: 159 71-91 hsa-mir-213 SEQ ID NO: 160 24-46 and/or 64-85 hsa-mir-214 SEQ ID NO: 161 71-91 hsa-mir-215 SEQ ID NO: 162 27-47 hsa-mir-216 SEQ ID NO: 163 19-39 hsa-mir-217 SEQ ID NO: 164 35-58 hsa-mir-218-1 SEQ ID NO: 165 25-45 hsa-mir-218-2 SEQ ID NO: 166 25-45 hsa-mir-219-1 SEQ ID NO: 167 21-41 hsa-mir-219-2 SEQ ID NO: 168 19-39 hsa-mir-220 SEQ ID NO: 169 23-43 hsa-mir-221 SEQ ID NO: 170 65-87 hsa-mir-222 SEQ ID NO: 171 69-92 hsa-mir-223 SEQ ID NO: 172 68-88 hsa-mir-224 SEQ ID NO: 173  8-30 hsa-mir-296 SEQ ID NO: 174 14-34 hsa-mir-299 SEQ ID NO: 175  7-28 hsa-mir-301 SEQ ID NO: 176 51-73 hsa-mir-302 SEQ ID NO: 177 44-66 hsa-mir-320 SEQ ID NO: 178 48-70 hsa-mir-321 SEQ ID NO: 179 10-30 hsa-mir-323 SEQ ID NO: 180 50-71 hsa-mir-324 SEQ ID NO: 181 16-38 and/or 51-72 hsa-mir-326 SEQ ID NO: 182 60-79 hsa-mir-328 SEQ ID NO: 183 48-69 hsa-mir-330 SEQ ID NO: 184 57-79 hsa-mir-331 SEQ ID NO: 185 61-81 hsa-mir-335 SEQ ID NO: 186 16-38 hsa-mir-337 SEQ ID NO: 187 56-78 hsa-mir-338 SEQ ID NO: 188 42-64 hsa-mir-339 SEQ ID NO: 189 15-35 hsa-mir-340 SEQ ID NO: 190 58-80 hsa-mir-342 SEQ ID NO: 191 61-84 hsa-mir-345 SEQ ID NO: 573 17-37 hsa-mir-346 SEQ ID NO: 574  4-26 hsa-mir-367 SEQ ID NO: 575 44-65 hsa-mir-368 SEQ ID NO: 576 44-65 hsa-mir-369 SEQ ID NO: 577 44-64 hsa-mir-370 SEQ ID NO: 578 48-68 hsa-mir-371 SEQ ID NO: 579 44-64 hsa-mir-372 SEQ ID NO: 580 42-64 hsa-mir-373 SEQ ID NO: 581 44-66 hsa-mir-374 SEQ ID NO: 582 12-33 hsa-mir-375 SEQ ID NO: 677 40-61 hsa-mir-376a SEQ ID NO: 678 44-64 hsa-mir-377 SEQ ID NO: 679 45-66 hsa-mir-378 SEQ ID NO: 680  5-26 and 44-65 hsa-mir-379 SEQ ID NO: 681  6-24 hsa-mir-380 SEQ ID NO: 682  5-26 and 40-61 hsa-mir-381 SEQ ID NO: 683 49-70 hsa-mir-382 SEQ ID NO: 684 11-32 hsa-mir-383 SEQ ID NO: 685  7-28 hsa-mir-384 SEQ ID NO: 686 57-76 hsa-mir-422a SEQ ID NO: 687 11-32 hsa-mir-423 SEQ ID NO: 688 53-74 hsa-mir-424 SEQ ID NO: 689 11-32 hsa-mir-425 SEQ ID NO: 690 55-75 hsa-mir-448 SEQ ID NO: 691 71-92 hsa-mir-429 SEQ ID NO: 692 51-72 hsa-mir-449 SEQ ID NO: 693 16-37 hsa-mir-450-1 SEQ ID NO: 694 17-38 hsa-mir-450-2 SEQ ID NO: 704 22-43 hsa-mir-451 SEQ ID NO: 705 17-39 hsa-mir-452 SEQ ID NO: 706 17-38 hsa-mir-453 SEQ ID NO: 707 43-64 hsa-mir-455 SEQ ID NO: 708 16-37 hsa-mir-483 SEQ ID NO: 709 48-70 hsa-mir-484 SEQ ID NO: 710  2-23 hsa-mir-485 SEQ ID NO: 711  9-30 hsa-mir-486 SEQ ID NO: 712  4-25 hsa-mir-487 SEQ ID NO: 713 49-70 hsa-mir-488 SEQ ID NO: 714 14-34 hsa-mir-489 SEQ ID NO: 715 51-73 hsa-mir-490 SEQ ID NO: 716 76-97 hsa-mir-491 SEQ ID NO: 717 16-38 hsa-mir-492 SEQ ID NO: 718 30-52 hsa-mir-493 SEQ ID NO: 719 16-37 hsa-mir-494 SEQ ID NO: 720 48-71 hsa-mir-495 SEQ ID NO: 721 50-72 hsa-mir-496 SEQ ID NO: 722 61-77 hsa-mir-497 SEQ ID NO: 723 24-44 hsa-mir-498 SEQ ID NO: 724 34-56 hsa-mir-499 SEQ ID NO: 725 33-55 hsa-mir-500 SEQ ID NO: 726 52-73 hsa-mir-501 SEQ ID NO: 727 14-35 hsa-mir-502 SEQ ID NO: 728  1-21 hsa-mir-503 SEQ ID NO: 729  6-28 hsa-mir-504 SEQ ID NO: 730 13-33 hsa-mir-505 SEQ ID NO: 731 52-73 hsa-mir-506 SEQ ID NO: 732 71-91 hsa-mir-507 SEQ ID NO: 733 56-76 hsa-mir-508 SEQ ID NO: 734 61-83 hsa-mir-509 SEQ ID NO: 735 55-77 hsa-mir-510 SEQ ID NO: 736 10-32 hsa-mir-511-1 SEQ ID NO: 737 16-36 hsa-mir-511-2 SEQ ID NO: 738 16-36 hsa-mir-512-1 SEQ ID NO: 739 14-36 hsa-mir-512-2 SEQ ID NO: 740 20-42 hsa-mir-513-1 SEQ ID NO: 741 37-58 hsa-mir-513-2 SEQ ID NO: 742 36-57 hsa-mir-514-1 SEQ ID NO: 743 39-58 hsa-mir-514-2 SEQ ID NO: 744 39-58 hsa-mir-514-3 SEQ ID NO: 745 39-58 hsa-mir-515-1 SEQ ID NO: 746 14-37 hsa-mir-515-2 SEQ ID NO: 747 14-37 hsa-mir-516-1 SEQ ID NO: 748 61-78 hsa-mir-516-2 SEQ ID NO: 749 61-78 hsa-mir-516-3 SEQ ID NO: 750 15-37 hsa-mir-516-4 SEQ ID NO: 751 15-37 hsa-mir-517a SEQ ID NO: 752 15-36 hsa-mir-517b SEQ ID NO: 753  6-27 hsa-mir-517c SEQ ID NO: 754 20-41 hsa-mir-518a-1 SEQ ID NO: 755 14-34 hsa-mir-518a-2 SEQ ID NO: 756 15-34 hsa-mir-518b SEQ ID NO: 757 51-72 hsa-mir-518c SEQ ID NO: 758 24-46 hsa-mir-518d SEQ ID NO: 759 16-36 hsa-mir-518e SEQ ID NO: 760 54-75 hsa-mir-518f SEQ ID NO: 761 16-38 hsa-mir-519a-1 SEQ ID NO: 762 15-38 hsa-mir-519a-2 SEQ ID NO: 763 54-78 hsa-mir-519b SEQ ID NO: 764 13-36 hsa-mir-519c SEQ ID NO: 765 16-39 hsa-mir-519d SEQ ID NO: 766 54-76 hsa-mir-519e SEQ ID NO: 767 14-35 hsa-mir-520a SEQ ID NO: 768 15-35 hsa-mir-520b SEQ ID NO: 769 41-61 hsa-mir-520c SEQ ID NO: 770 16-36 hsa-mir-520d SEQ ID NO: 771 15-37 hsa-mir-520e SEQ ID NO: 772 54-74 hsa-mir-520f SEQ ID NO: 773 55-76 hsa-mir-520g SEQ ID NO: 774 55-78 hsa-mir-520h SEQ ID NO: 775 55-76 hsa-mir-521-1 SEQ ID NO: 776 54-75 hsa-mir-521-2 SEQ ID NO: 777 54-75 hsa-mir-522 SEQ ID NO: 778 16-39 hsa-mir-523 SEQ ID NO: 779 16-39 hsa-mir-524 SEQ ID NO: 780 16-37 hsa-mir-525 SEQ ID NO: 781 15-35 hsa-mir-526a-1 SEQ ID NO: 782 15-35 hsa-mir-526a-2 SEQ ID NO: 783  7-27 hsa-mir-526b SEQ ID NO: 784 14-37 hsa-mir-527 SEQ ID NO: 785 14-34 ambi-mir-7100 SEQ ID NO: 803 mir-526b* SEQ ID NO: 804 mir-520a* SEQ ID NO: 805 

1.-66. (canceled)
 67. A method for reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation in a cell comprising introducing into the cell an effective amount of at least one i) miRNA inhibitor molecule that is between 17 and 25 nucleotides in length and comprises a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% omplementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA selected from the group consisting of: mir-31, mir-92, mir-99a, mir-100, mir-125a, mir-129, mir-130a, mir-150, mir-187, miR-190, miR-191, miR-193, miR 204, mir-210, mir-211, mir-212, mir-213, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, miR 218, mir-224, mir-292, mir-294, mir-320, mir-324, mir-325, mir-326, mir-330, mir-331, mir-338, mir-341, mir-369, and mir-370; or ii) synthetic miRNA molecule of between 17 and 125 residues in length comprising an miRNA region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is identical to a mature miRNA sequence, and a complementary region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is between 60% and 100% complementary to the mature miRNA sequence, wherein the mature miRNA sequence is selected from the group consisting of: miR-15a, miR-16, miR 21, miR 24, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, or miR-346.
 68. The method of claim 67, further comprising identifying a cell or a patient having the cell as in need of reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation. 69.-70. (canceled)
 71. A method for reducing cell viability comprising introducing into one or more cells an effective amount of at least one i) miRNA inhibitor molecule that is between 17 and 25 nucleotides in length and comprises a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA selected from the group consisting of: miR-107, miR-133, miR-137, miR-152, miR-155, miR-181 a, miR-191, miR-203, and miR-215; or ii) synthetic miRNA molecule of between 17 and 125 residues in length comprising an miRNA region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is identical to a mature miRNA sequence, and a complementary region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is between 60% and 100% complementary to the miRNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: mir-1, mir-7, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, mir-23, mir-24, mir-27a, miR-29a, miR-30a-3p, mir-31, mir-32, miR-34a, miR-101, miR-107, miR-108, miR-122, mir-124, miR-133a, miR-134, miR-135, miR-139, mir-140, miR-141, miR-145, mir-150, mir-192, mir-193, mir-195, mir-206, mir-208, mir-210, mir-210, mir-292-3p, mir-293, mir-297, mir-299, mir-329, mir-337, mir-337, mir-345, mir-346, and mir-409.
 72. The method of claim 71, further comprising identifying a cell or a patient having the cell as in need of reducing cell viability. 73.-74. (canceled)
 75. A method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into the cell an effective amount of at least one i) miRNA inhibitor molecule that is between 17 and 25 nucleotides in length and comprises a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA selected from the group consisting of: miR-31 and miR-214; or ii) synthetic miRNA molecule of between 17 and 125 residues in length comprising an miRNA region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is identical to a mature miRNA sequence, and a complementary region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is between 60% and 100% complementary to the miRNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: mir-1, mir-1d, mir-7, mir-10a, miR-10b, miR-17-3p, miR-19a, miR-28, miR-28, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-122, mir-148, mir-149, mir-154, mir-184, mir-186, mir-188, mir-192, mir-195, mir-196, mir-199a, mir-204, mir-208,mir-210, mir-21 1, mir-212, mir-214, mir-215, mir-216, mir-217, mir-218, mir-293, mir-296, mir-299, mir-321, mir-328, and mir-344.
 76. The method of claim 75, further comprising identifying a cell or a patient having the cell as in need of inducing apoptosis. 77.-101. (canceled)
 102. A method comprising providing to cells: a) at least one miRNA inhibitor that is between 17 and 25 nucleotides in length and that comprises a 5′ to 3′ sequence that is at least 90% complementary to the 5′ to 3′ sequence of a mature miRNA or b) at least one synthetic RNA molecule of between 17 and 125 residues in length comprising i) an miRNA region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is identical to a mature miRNA sequence, and ii) a complementary region whose sequence from 5′ to 3′ is between 60% and 100% complementary to the mature miRNA sequence, wherein the mature miRNA is selected from the group consisting of: miR-1, miR-1-d, miR-1-2, miR-9, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-17, miR-17-3p, miR-18, miR-19a, miR-20, miR-21, miR-22, miR-23, miR-23a, miR-23b, miR-24, miR-25, miR-26a, miR-27a, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-30a-3p, miR-30a, miR-30e-5p, miR-31, miR-32, miR-34a, miR-92, miR-93, miR-95, miR-96, miR-98, miR-99a, miR-100, miR-101, miR-105, miR-106, miR-107, miR-108, miR-122, miR-124, miR-125, miR-125b, miR-126, miR-127, miR-128, miR-129, miR-130, miR-130a, miR-133, miR-133a, miR-133a-2, miR-133b, miR-134, miR-135, miR-137, miR-138, miR-139, miR-140, miR-141, miR-142, miR-143, miR-145, miR-147, miR-148, miR-149, miR-150, miR-152, miR-153, miR-154, miR-155, miR-181, miR-182, miR-183, miR-184, miR-186, miR-187, miR-188, miR-190, miR-191, miR-192, miR-193, miR-194, miR-195, miR-196, miR-197, miR-198, miR-199, miR-199a-1, miR-200b, miR-201, miR-203, miR-204, miR-206, miR-207, miR-208, miR-210, miR-211, miR-212, miR-213, miR-214, miR-215, miR-216, miR-217, miR-218, miR-222, miR-223, miR-224, miR-291-3p, miR-292, miR-292-3p, miR-293, miR-294, miR-295, miR-296, miR-297, miR-298, miR-299, miR-320, miR-321, miR-322, miR-324, miR-325, miR-326, miR-328, miR-329, miR-330, miR-331, miR-333, miR-335, miR-337, miR-338, miR-340, miR-341, miR-342, miR-344, miR-345, miR-346, miR-350, miR-367, miR-368, miR-369, miR-370, miR-371, miR-373, miR-380-3p, miR-409, miR-410, or miR-412.
 103. The method of claim 102, wherein the mature miRNA is selected from the group consisting of: miR-10a, miR-15a, miR-16, miR-17, miR-21, miR-22, miR-23, miR-24, miR-26a, miR-29b, miR-30a, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-106, miR-124, miR-125a, miR-126, miR-130, miR130a, miR-133, miR-142, miR-143, miR-144, miR-145, miR-147, miR-181a, miR-182, miR-183, miR-188, miR-189, miR-192, miR-194, miR-195, miR-199a, miR-200b, miR-201, miR-205, miR-219, 206, miR-215, miR-219, miR-223, miR-224, miR-321, miR-328, miR-331, miR-342 and miR-346.
 104. The method of claim 102, wherein cells are provided at least 1) an inhibitor of miR-17, miR-21, miR-182, miR-183, miR-200b, miR-205, miR-223, and/or miR-224; and/or 2) an miRNA corresponding to miR-10a, miR-16, miR-22, miR-23, miR-24, miR-26a, miR-29b, miR-30a, miR-106, miR-125a, miR-126, miR-130, miR-133, miR-143, miR-144, miR-145, miR-181a, miR-188, miR-219, miR-192, miR-194, miR-195, miR-199a, mmu-miR-201, miR-215, miR-321, miR-328, miR-331, and/or miR-342.
 105. The method of claim 102, wherein the cells are cancer cells.
 106. The method of claim 105, wherein the mature miRNA is selected from the group consisting of miR-15a, miR-16, miR-96, miR-101, miR-105, miR-124, miR-126, miR-142, miR-147, miR-192, miR-194, miR-206, miR-215, or miR-346. 